FAO and EMBRAPA Strengthen Cooperation to Advance Sustainable and Resilient Agrifood Systems

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a framework for collaboration to strengthen the generation and exchange of knowledge, provide policy advice, and develop capacities aimed at transforming agrifood systems into systems that are more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

The agreement was signed during the 39th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, reinforcing the commitment of both institutions to sustainable agricultural development and food security in the region.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Máximo Torero, Chief Economist of FAO, and Silvia María Fonseca Silveira Massruhá, President of EMBRAPA, who highlighted the importance of strengthening scientific and technical cooperation to address the current challenges facing agrifood systems.

The agreement seeks to consolidate and expand cooperation between the two institutions in key areas such as food and nutrition security, sustainable agricultural development, climate action, biodiversity, and the promotion of the bioeconomy and the circular economy.

FAO and EMBRAPA share the goal of promoting agrifood systems that advance better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031.

Priority areas of cooperation include support for the adoption of sustainable and resilient agricultural practices, the generation of scientific evidence and policy analysis, and the development of technological innovations that contribute to the transformation of agrifood systems.

The agreement also includes strengthening data infrastructure on agrifood systems through the use of advanced digital tools—such as Earth observation, artificial intelligence, and geospatial platforms—as well as the development of new metrics and standards to support evidence-based decision-making.

The two institutions will also collaborate on the development of foresight analyses and climate science applied to agriculture, with the aim of guiding public policies, planning, and investments that help address future challenges in the agrifood sector.

The agreement will further promote knowledge exchange, capacity strengthening, and cooperation among countries, including South-South and Triangular Cooperation initiatives facilitated by FAO.

The Memorandum of Understanding will have an initial duration of five years and will enable the development of joint initiatives such as research, publications, knowledge networks, workshops, seminars, and technical cooperation programmes aimed at advancing innovation and sustainability in agrifood systems.