Semi-arid is a priority in cooperation between Embrapa and the Australian Embassy

The president of Embrapa, Sebastião Barbosa, and the ambassador of Australia, Timothy Kane, signed on Tuesday morning (March 12), a Memorandum of Understanding that represents the first step towards research cooperation that will benefit the Brazilian Semiarid region. The initiative aims to exchange knowledge between Embrapa and the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization – CSIRO and was motivated at the request of the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA), as a way of contributing to the development of pastures for the region, subjected to climatic conditions of rain restriction.

“The forage genetic improvement program was very efficient in producing pastures, but the president of the CNA, João Martins, suggested an even greater effort to exchange research”, said the president of Embrapa, highlighting the importance of the genetic material available in banks of germplasm from the foreign country. “This partnership will enable cooperation to explore the possibilities of introducing materials more adapted to the semi-arid climate in Northeast Brazil, benefiting farmers, especially the poorest, who have been left on the margins of development”, he concluded.

For the Australian ambassador, the signing of the document represents the definition of a priority strategy for both parties. “It is a very important occasion, because we are already in Latin America - Colombia and Chile - now it is Brazil's moment”, he commented, remembering that the first step will be a meeting with the CNA during a visit by CSIRO representatives. “In this sense, it is necessary to have a memorandum of understanding before starting a more impactful agenda.”

“We can say that CNA is available to contribute to the Australian Embassy and Embrapa, in whatever is necessary”, assured the president of the Agriculture Federation of the State of Pernambuco (Faepe), Pio Guerra Júnior, who was present representing the institution , accompanied by the president of the Federation of Agriculture and Livestock of the State of Bahia (Faeb), Humberto Miranda Oliveira.

According to Embrapa's Secretary of Intelligence and Strategic Relations (Sire), Rita Milagres, a survey carried out at the company's 42 two Research Units revealed that at least 20 of them showed interest in developing joint research with the Australian research institution. Among the main areas, he highlighted plant and animal genetic improvement, irrigation and water resources management, animal health, with an emphasis on disease control, integrated insect management, with an emphasis on biological control, and environmental restoration and ecosystem services. “This proves the relevance of the Memorandum of Understanding signed at this time between Embrapa and the Australian Embassy, ​​which will certainly generate a very promising partnership”, she added.