NIBIO partners with Brazil’s Embrapa

The world is facing increasingly complex and interconnected challenges: a growing population, a more unpredictable climate, and mounting pressures on food production systems. Global challenges require global solutions, and for many years the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) has contributed through collaboration with partners around the world. Now, the institute is expanding its international network through a partnership with Brazil and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, better known as Embrapa.

Brazil plays a key role in global food production

As one of the world’s largest economies and a leading producer of commodities such as soybeans, coffee, and bananas, Brazil plays a vital role in global food production. At the same time, the country is crucial to the global climate, as it is home to the world’s largest rainforest. The challenge of developing more sustainable and climate-resilient food production systems is at the heart of Embrapa’s research mission.

Founded in 1973, Embrapa is a government-owned research institution with nearly 8,000 employees. With 43 research centres across Brazil and collaborative projects in around 40 countries, Embrapa has a significant impact both nationally and internationally.

“Embrapa is a large and modern research institution that has played a central role in the development of Brazilian agriculture,” says Ragnar Våga Pedersen, Director of Communications at NIBIO.

“Brazil has transformed itself from a country that imported many agricultural products into one of the world’s leading exporters of commodities such as soybeans, sugar, and meat.”

Despite the size of the institution, Embrapa’s President, Silvia Maria Fonseca Silveira Massruhá, emphasises its commitment to delivering value to society. She points out that every Brazilian real invested in the institute generates a return of 21.23 reais for society.

A shared commitment to sustainable development

“I believe both NIBIO and Embrapa have much to learn from each other, and it is very positive that we are now creating opportunities for closer collaboration,” says Ivar H. Kristensen, Chief Executive Officer of NIBIO. He also highlights Embrapa’s ambition to double food production without expanding agricultural land use.

“That demonstrates a clear commitment to nature, climate, and food security.”

The partnership is expected to benefit both organisations, as Embrapa and NIBIO share many similarities. Both institutions work closely with the agricultural sector in their respective countries and provide knowledge, products, and services aimed at promoting more sustainable food production.

On Tuesday, 9 June, NIBIO welcomed Embrapa’s senior leadership together with representatives from the Brazilian Embassy in Oslo. During the visit, participants from both institutions introduced current research activities before the Brazilian delegation toured several laboratories at NIBIO’s facilities in Ås. The meeting culminated in the signing of a cooperation agreement by the two institutions’ chief executives, Massruhá and Kristensen.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in areas including sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and knowledge exchange. Both institutions see significant opportunities for joint projects and research activities in the years ahead.