Embrapa turns 47 and focuses on integration with the production sector

The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) turns 47 this Sunday, April 26th and expands its focus on research projects that seek partnership with the productive sector. The Company's restructuring process, combined with the new organization of its research themes into 34 Research, Development and Innovation (R&D) portfolios, has allowed faster results to be achieved, with effective contributions to Brazilian agribusiness.

As a result of this greater proximity to the private sector, the Company's innovation and business team registered, last year, more than 157 new partnerships, in addition to the 118 already existing. In total, 888 contracts and agreements were signed, 858 of which were national and 30 were international.

There are 850 research projects underway in 43 Units. In 2019, the number of projects with direct participation from the private sector jumped from 5,9% to 12,1% and the projection is to reach 40% by 2022. “We are moving our research programming so that around 40% of the projects solve immediate problems in Brazilian agriculture. In a complementary way, we want to have around 60% of research projects in the technological induction line, that is, projects that are based on either diffuse present demands or demands for the solution of future problems, which do not yet afflict the Brazilian producer”, highlights the president of Embrapa, Celso Moretti.

“Partnerships help Brazil advance in its leading role in the production of food, fiber and energy sources. The expansion of projects in partnership with the productive sector undoubtedly represents one of the priorities, mainly due to the impact and benefits not only for agricultural research, but also for the different agricultural segments within the scope of the national technology and innovation market. ”, adds the president.

As it operates on several fronts, Embrapa currently has a set of partners with different profiles, such as public and private companies, the Brazilian Agriculture and Livestock Confederation (CNA), the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB), universities, associations , cooperatives, state research and technical assistance and rural extension organizations, banks, in addition to international organizations.

The integrated ERP management system (Enterprise Resource Planning), which will promote the integration of 170 internal Company processes, providing greater agility, efficiency and security in the Units' administrative information.

Recent search results

Moretti draws attention to the fact that, even in the face of challenges such as the current context of budget restrictions and the constant need to review and update the Company's structures, the state-owned company continues to make relevant deliveries for society.

Among the recent highlights is BiomaPhos, an inoculant that increases the amount of phosphorus available in soil for absorption by plants. It is estimated that there is around US$40 billion in phosphorus accumulated over decades and that, with Embrapa's technology, it can be appropriated by plants, generating savings and increased productivity.

Another impactful delivery was the Zarc Plantio Certo app, which allows producers to make decisions in an agile and practical way, based on official climate risk zoning information. The president also highlights the Company's participation in the international consortium that sequenced the genome of the fungus that causes Asian rust (Phakopsorapachyrhizi), the main disease of Brazilian soybean crops and which causes US$ 2,8 billion in losses for the country.

Among the new features planned for 2020 is the beginning of the certification and commercialization process of products with the Carne Carbono Neutro (CCN) concept brand. The brand guarantees that the animals that gave rise to the product had enteric methane emissions compensated during the production process by the growth of trees in the system.

Another awaited product is the strategic territorial intelligence system to boost aquaculture production. Embrapa is mapping, using satellite images, the fish farms and other aquatic animals throughout Brazil. The information will be available on an online platform, which will house a vast amount of georeferenced data on the activity.

The role of agricultural research in Brazil

With the support of agricultural research, the country went from being a food importer to a major player in the market commodities, which is currently ensuring a result of 22% of Brazilian GDP. The country is a protagonist in the production and export of soybeans, coffee, beef, chicken meat, orange juice and corn.

“We went from being an importer to an exporter of food and Embrapa contributed strongly over its 47 years to this leap in productivity in Brazilian agriculture,” says Moretti, remembering that another important front for the state-owned company is its contribution to the formulation of public policies, through the participation of its scientists in providing data and technical information.

Pronalos, Renovabio, ILPF, Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning, Forestry Code, among others, are examples of public policies that have included the participation of Embrapa in recent decades and, at this time when the country is facing the Covid-19 pandemic, the Company have also provided quick responses to society.

“I have no doubt that by the end of 2020 we will have a better, leaner, more responsive Embrapa capable of meeting the desires and demands of Brazilian agriculture”, concludes Moretti.