WRITTEN BY: Matthew Burkhart (mkburkha@ncsu.edu)

In a move to expand its global reach and foster international collaboration, NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is solidifying a partnership with Embrapa, Brazil’s leading agricultural research institution. A recent trip to Brazil by CALS faculty and leadership has set the stage for a promising collaboration that could revolutionize agricultural research and innovation across both institutions.

Embrapa, short for Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária), was established in 1973 to develop a tropical model of agriculture and animal farming. Today, it stands as one of the world’s largest agricultural research organizations, with a focus on innovation, efficiency, sustainability and social inclusion.

Luke Gatiboni, an extension soil fertility specialist at NC State, was part of the delegation that visited Brazil. A native Brazilian, he emphasized the significance of the partnership, likening Embrapa to the counterpart of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Brazil.

The week-long trip, which took place in December, saw the NC State team visiting six Embrapa units across Brazil, each specializing in different aspects of agricultural research. The itinerary included stops at Embrapa Digital Agriculture and Embrapa Territorial in Campinas, Embrapa Environment in Jaguariuna, and several units in Brasilia, including Embrapa Cerrados, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and Embrapa Horticulture.

Gatiboni highlighted the diverse research areas covered by Embrapa.

“They have units for pig production, poultry, pastures, cattle, forest, anything — you can name it,” Gatiboni said. “We have so many different things that they are doing that I could tell you, I think any faculty from our college would have a counterpart in Embrapa to work with”.

The partnership between NC State’s CALS and Embrapa has deep roots stretching back decades. In the 1960s, NC State initiated the Tropical Soils Program, sponsored by USAID, which ran from 1968 to 1999. During this period, numerous faculty members from NC State worked in Brazil to solve soil fertility problems, develop soil classification systems and adapt crops to the tropical region.

A significant milestone in this partnership occurred in 1973 when two faculty members from NC State proposed to the Brazilian government the creation of a new Embrapa unit focused on the Cerrado region. This proposal led to the establishment of Embrapa Cerrados in 1974, marking the beginning of intensive research into the agricultural potential of this vast savanna biome.

The Cerrado, once considered unsuitable for farming, has become Brazil’s most significant agricultural biome, largely due to the collaborative efforts of NC State and Embrapa researchers. The soils of the Cerrado presented significant challenges, being among the oldest and least fertile in the world, characterized by high acidity, low cation-exchange capacity and high aluminum content.

The turning point came when researchers, including those from NC State, discovered that these soils required an unconventional approach. Instead of applying typical amounts of fertilizer, they found success by applying massive initial quantities to “jumpstart” the soil. This breakthrough in soil management, combined with other technological advancements, led to remarkable outcomes. Today, the Cerrado accounts for more than 50% of Brazil’s grain production, including 55% of soybean production and significant portions of cotton, corn, rice and beans.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the partnership is the potential for complementary research environments. 

“If you have a partnership with the tropical part of Brazil, for example, we can grow corn during the summer here, we can take the seeds to Brazil, and while we are in the winter in North Carolina, they can grow this corn in Brazil because it’s hot,” Gatiboni said. 

This arrangement could significantly accelerate breeding programs by allowing for continuous cultivation throughout the year.

The collaboration also opens doors for NC State researchers to access unique facilities and environments. During their visit, the team toured the National Laboratory of Synchrotron Light, one of only three fourth-generation synchrotrons in operation worldwide. This cutting-edge facility could provide NC State researchers with unprecedented opportunities for advanced scientific studies.

Moreover, the partnership aims to leverage Embrapa’s expertise in tropical agriculture. 

“They can offer expertise in a tropical environment that we don’t have, and we can have our facilities and expertise here in our college that also put us in a very good position to write proposals for different agencies and work in collaboration,” Gatiboni said.

The trip also included a visit to SLC Agricola, one of Brazil’s largest agricultural operations, showcasing the scale and sophistication of Brazilian agriculture. The farm, Fazenda Pamplona, spans 1.7 million acres of soybean, corn and coffee production.

Looking ahead, both institutions are eager to expand their collaboration. 

“We are scheduling follow-up Zoom meetings with these same units, and to start to think about collaboration and exactly how we can work together,” Gatiboni said. 

The partnership is expected to encompass various areas of agricultural research, from plant breeding and soil science to digital agriculture and biotechnology.

Gatiboni said CALS and Embrapa are similar in terms of advancement and ambition in new research. He said the resources and opportunities offered by both institutions will allow for a valuable partnership.

“They are at the same level as us in terms of research,” Gatiboni said. “What would be really important with Embrapa is to partner and collaborate on new projects, because they can offer expertise in a tropical environment that we don’t have. We have our facilities and expertise here in our college that put us in a very good position to write proposals for different agencies and work in collaboration.”

The partnership between CALS and Embrapa represents a significant step forward in international agricultural research collaboration. By combining their strengths and resources, these institutions are poised to make substantial advancements in addressing global challenges in food security, sustainability and agricultural innovation.