Brics representatives see Brazil’s agricultural innovations

Seeking to become more familiar with Brazil’s technological innovations and technology, vice-ministers of Agriculture from Brics—a bloc formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa flew to Brasília Wednesday (Jul 17). They talked with Brazilian Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina and President of the country’s Agriculture and Livestock Confederation (CNA) João Martins.

The meeting comes ahead of the 9th meeting of Brics agriculture minister, to be held in Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, in September. In addition to meeting with Tereza Cristina and CNA leaders, the representatives from Brics paid a visit to a branch of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), where they saw laboratory testing new sugar cane strains and seed and sapling banks.

Brazil's Minister of Agriculture Tereza Cristina opens the meeting with vice-ministers of agriculture from Brics. – José Cruz / Agência Brasil

Brazil is ready

Minister Tereza Cristina described the meetings as an opportunity to show innovations produced in Brazil regarding the adaptation of tropical farming to climate change. She noted that Brazil “is ready and willing to contribute to ensuring global food security, incorporating the principles of sustainable development into the core of its strategy.”

Brics is made up of purchasers and sellers of agricultural goods, CNA Superintendent for International Relations Lígia Dutra noted, adding that the meeting with the delegation served to “bring these markets closer to the Brazilian production.”

According to CNA Director for International Relations Gedeão Pereira, as far as agriculture is concerned, Brazil plays a crucial role on the global stage, as countries with a large population rely on the Brazilian production to ensure food security for the people.