Brazil and Japan announce collaboration on precision and digital agriculture - April 2021

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) and the Japanese Government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will carry out a collaborative development project in the area of precision and digital agriculture. The document "Record of Discussions" was signed by the Secretary for Innovation, Rural Development and Irrigation, Fernando Camargo, and the head of JICA in Brazil, Masayuki Eguchi, at a meeting on Tuesday (27) in Brasilia.

Based on a mutual understanding, both parties agree to establish the “Collaborative Development Project for Precision and Digital Agriculture to Strengthen the Innovation Ecosystem and Sustainability in Brazilian Agri-Food Chains”, with innovation and sustainability in Brazilian agribusiness as its pillars. Precision agriculture makes use of technology to plan agricultural production, reduce costs, increase productivity and reduce environmental impacts, and is one of the pillars of the agriculture of the future.

“Brazil and Japan have been partners for a long time. The joint work has allowed Brazil to become the world leader in tropical agriculture and, today, we are advancing in 21st century agriculture, which aims to preserve by producing,” said Secretary Fernando Camargo, recalling the partnership with the Asian country for the transformation of the Cerrado and the technological development of production in the Brazilian Midwest.

The head of JICA, Masayuki Eguchi, highlighted Brazil's role as a sustainable supplier of food for the world, serving more than 1 billion people. “This project is very important for us and for the world, since Brazil is the world's food supplier and we have the prospect of an increasing population, as well as being a potential producer of bioenergy.” Eguchi also reinforced his confidence in the partnership, since the cooperation is the first signed by JICA since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

The discussions that culminated in the signing of the document initiating the strategic project began in 2018, explained Deputy Secretary Cleber Soares. “It's an honor to be here today, sharing efforts for precision agriculture in Brazil, given the strength of the Japanese state in digital technology and sustainability.”

JICA is planning a technical visit to Japan in the second half of 2021 to draw up subsidies for the final project.

The Japanese agency has been working on cooperation projects in Brazil for 62 years. Ten of its projects in the country are focused on agriculture and cover irrigation and agroforestry systems.

Also taking part in the event were the director of Mapa's Department for Supporting Innovation in Agriculture and Livestock, Sibelle Silva; the representatives of the Japanese agency, Shinji Sato and Nobuyuki Kimura; and the general coordinator of the ABC Agency, Yuri Wofsi. Embrapa researcher Ricardo Inamasu also followed the meeting online.

Picture: Guilherme Martimon/Mapa

Published by Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in April 27 of 2021. Translated by the JICA Project Team. Source: https://www.gov.br/agricultura/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/brasil-e-japao-anunciam-colaboracao-para-agricultura-de-precisao-e-digital