Embrapa (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária) is Brazil’s premier agricultural research corporation, founded in 1973 under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply. Headquartered in Brasília, Embrapa is a state-owned entity that plays a pivotal role in transforming Brazilian agriculture, developing cutting-edge technologies, and driving innovations that have positioned Brazil as one of the world’s top food producers and exporters.
Core Business
Embrapa’s core mission is to generate knowledge, products, and services that promote sustainable agricultural development in Brazil. Its work spans plant and animal genetics, biotechnology, soil health, climate adaptation, agroecology, digital agriculture, and food safety, supporting small farmers, agribusinesses, government policies, and international cooperation.
Product and Service Offerings
Embrapa’s offerings include:
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Research Outputs:
- Agricultural technologies (improved cultivars, pest-resistant strains, climate-resilient crops)
- Scientific publications, technical reports, and bulletins
- Environmental and land use mapping (e.g., TerraClass, MapBiomas)
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Seeds and Cultivars:
- BRS Capiaçu (elephant grass)
- BRS 5601 RR Soybean
- BRS 139 Black Oat
- Various maize, rice, wheat, forage, and fruit cultivars
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Biological Products:
- Auras (plant growth-promoting bacteria)
- Biological pest and disease control agents
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Digital Tools and Platforms:
- Agrosmart climate and decision support platforms
- Embrapa Virtual Library
- Smart farm management systems
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Training and Consultancy:
- Agricultural training courses and workshops
- On-farm technical assistance
- Policy and technical consultancy for governments and NGOs
Specialization and Core USP
Embrapa’s strengths include:
- World-class R&D infrastructure, with over 40 specialized research centers across Brazil
- Extensive genetic banks, preserving biodiversity and supporting breeding programs
- Leadership in tropical agriculture, adapting crops and livestock systems to diverse environments
- Strong international partnerships, including collaborations with CGIAR, FAO, and universities worldwide
- Pioneering role in agricultural sustainability, focusing on low-carbon agriculture and climate resilience
Financial Performance
As a publicly funded institution, Embrapa operates under a government budget, which in 2023 was approximately R$3.5 billion (~USD 700 million). Despite budget fluctuations, Embrapa generates significant economic returns; a study estimated that every R$1 invested in Embrapa research yields R$12.61 in economic benefits to Brazilian society, with a cumulative contribution of over R$1 trillion to Brazil’s agricultural GDP since its founding.
Research Impact and Data
Embrapa’s innovations have enabled:
- Brazil to become the second-largest soybean producer and top beef exporter globally
- Expansion of agricultural frontiers into the Cerrado, previously considered marginal land
- Development of over 1,000 crop and livestock cultivars
- Adoption of integrated crop-livestock-forest systems on over 15 million hectares
- A 30% reduction in agricultural carbon emissions intensity through sustainable practices
Target Market
Embrapa serves:
- Brazilian farmers and agribusinesses, from smallholders to large-scale producers
- Government bodies and policymakers
- International research organizations and development agencies
- Academic institutions and NGOs focusing on agriculture and sustainability
- Agri-tech companies and startups leveraging Embrapa’s research for product development
Capabilities
- Over 2,400 researchers and specialists across 43 research units
- State-of-the-art labs and experimental stations nationwide
- Large-scale data infrastructure, supporting agricultural big data and remote sensing projects
- Public-private partnerships for technology transfer and commercialization
- Robust intellectual property portfolio, with patents, cultivars, and software
Certifications and Compliance
- ISO 9001-certified management systems in multiple research units
- Compliance with Brazilian National Biosafety Law for GMO research
- Accredited labs for soil, plant, and animal analysis under Brazilian and international standards
- Adherence to international treaties such as the Nagoya Protocol and International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources
Customer Testimonials
“Embrapa’s technologies revolutionized soybean farming in Brazil. Without their research, we wouldn’t be global leaders today.”
— CEO, major Brazilian agribusiness
“Their climate-smart agriculture programs have helped small farmers like us adapt to changing rainfall patterns.”
— Smallholder farmer, Mato Grosso
Major Achievements
- Named by FAO as a global reference in tropical agriculture
- Developed and released over 1,200 plant cultivars and animal breeds since 1973
- Co-lead on Latin America’s largest soil carbon monitoring initiative
- Exported tropical agriculture expertise to over 40 countries, supporting global food security
- Celebrated 50 years of operation in 2023, marking a half-century of innovation and impact
