Presentation by Mauricio Lopes, Executive Director, Research Development, Embrapa, at the 2012 Agriculture and Rural Development Day (ARDD) in Rio de Janiero, Learning Event No. 4, Session 1: How can developing countries advance towards a more sustainable agriculture? A concrete experience on development of a science-based Tropical Agriculture in Brazil.

2. Objectives
Illustrate, through the Brazilian experience, that
developing countries can reach food security while
promoting more sustainable ways to access and
use their natural resource base;
Describe the Brazilian experience of combining
public policies, institutional and human
development and a science-based strategy to
promote agricultural innovation.
2010 by Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply.

3. Challenges to Agricultural Development in Brazil
Tropical Forest
Before the 1970´s Brazil was
Semi-
Semi-Arid
not a food secure country.
• Low agricultural production and low yields;
• Production concentrated in the South and
Savannah
Southeast Regions;
• Constant food supply crisis and rural poverty;
• Lack of specific knowledge in Tropical Agriculture;
• Lack of adequate agricultural development policies;
• Brazil known as coffee and sugar producer.

4. Evolution of Agriculture in Brazil
Agricultural Expansion in Brazil
From the 1960´s to the 1990´s

5. The Country Developed a Diverse Agrifood System
Area/ main crops m ha
1- Flooded rice 0.95
2- Soybean 3.30
Corn 1.30
Wheat 0.60
3- Soybean 3.20
Corn 2.40
Wheat 0.90
4- Soybean 1.20
9 Pasture 11.00
10 11 5- Sugarcane
Coffee
2.50
0.30
Citrus 0.70
13 6- Coffee 1.00
8 7- Soybean 1.80
7 Corn 0.80
Cotton 0.10
6 12 Dry beans 0.20
4 5 Pasture 9.00
8- Soybean 3.30
3 Cotton 0.50
Corn 0.40
Pasture 12.00
2 9- Pasture 10.00
10- Tropical fruits 0.07
1 11- Sugarcane 0.90
12- Coffee 0.60
13- Drybeans 0.70
Soybean 0.90

6. Rising Agricultural Productivity
Yield increases (1975 to 2009): from 60% to over 200%
Rice
ARROZ
Onions
CEBOLA
Coffee
CAFÉ (em grão)
Beef cattle
300 330 250 130
250 280 120
200
200 230 110
150 150
180
100
100 130 100
90
Slaughter rate = 25 %
50 80 50
80
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001
Fonte: IBGE Fonte: IBGE Fonte: IBGE
Beans
FEIJÃO
Tomatoes
TOMATE
Soybeans
SOJA
Dairy cattle
170 300 190 200
150 250 170
170
130 150
200 130
110 140
150 110
90 110
90
70 100 Milk / head = 70 %
70 80
50 50 50 1975=100
50
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
1975 1980 1985 1995
Fonte: IBGE Fonte: IBGE Fonte: IBGE
Corn
Milho
Potatoes BATATA
Oranges
LARANJA
Poultry
250 300 190 1970 2009
250
200 170
Days to slaughter 50 39
200 150
150
150 130
Weight kg 1.8 2.2
100
100 110 Food conversion (wtwt) 1.4 1.7
50 50 90
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
Fonte: IBGE Fonte : IBGE Fonte: IBGE

7. Brazil Became a Food Secure Country
Source: Martha Jr., data from Dieese (2010)

8. Brazil Became an Important Food Exporter
2009 Ranking: Brazilian Production and Exports
Around 79% of the Brazilian food production is consumed domestically and 21% is shipped to over 180 foreign markets
Source: MAPA, 2010

9. Brazilian Agriculture: Food, Feed, Fiber and Fuel
Brazil Developed a Clean Energy Matrix
Other renewable
sources
3,8% Uranium
Coal 1,4%
Natural Gas 4,8%
8,8%
Wood and other Petroleum and
biomass derivatives
10,1% 37,9%
Sugarcane
18,1%
Hydroelectricity
15,2%
Source: BEN (2010). Elaboration: UNICA

10. Agriculture Supporting Development
Brazilian Agricultural Exports (US$ billions) – From 2001 to 2011
Source: MAPA, 2012 - with data from Secex
* Expected

11. How was it possible?
Increase agricultural modernization and food production capacity in record time

12. Evolution of Agriculture in Brazil
Key Drivers for Development of an Advanced
Tropical Agriculture in Brazil

13. Key Drivers of Agricultural Innovation in Brazil
Agricultural Expansion in Brazil
Government commitment and public policies (macro/agro); From the 1960´s to the 1990´s
Development of science-based tropical agriculture;
Availability of basic infrastructure;
Large extension of arable land and adequate climatic conditions;
Landscape suitable for mechanization;
Availability of mineral resources (limestone and phosphate);
Entrepreneurship of our farmers.

14. Changes in Relative Rate of Assistance - RRA
Brazil, China, Ghana, and Indonesia
The RRA is a ratio of the
nominal assistance to
agriculture to the nominal
assistance to non-agricultural
sectors.
If both are equally assisted, the
RRA is zero.
By 1996, Brazil had removed
the negative barriers to
agricultural development and
was supporting agriculture at
least equal to other sectors.
Source: The World Bank

15. From Traditional to Science-based Agriculture
Creation of a Comprehensive Agricultural Research & TT System
17 State Ag Research Centers The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
Large network of experimental stations 47 Embrapa Centers Dedicated to Technology Development
Federal Network of
Professional Education
Private Sector
Brazil has also an active and growing private
sector, which supplies technologies and
technical assistance mainly in farm inputs
70 Agricultural Universities and food processing
> 100 Agro Technical High Schools

16. Institutional Building and Strengthening
The country has built one of the largest ag research systems in the world
State-of-the-art infrastructure + strong training and capacity building
Embrapa Soybean Center
Source: Embrapa Soybean

17. From Traditional to Science-based Agriculture
Contributions of Embrapa and Partners
Advanced Production Systems
Agroindustry
Environment
Regional Development

18. From Traditional to Science-based Agriculture
A Comprehensive Portfolio
Cultivar Evaluation Networks
Inbred Lines
Traceability and Certification
Varieties
Forecasting and Future Analysis
Hybrids
Biological Security Networks
Germplasm
Gene and Biological Function
Bioinsecticides
System´
System´s Automation
OGMs
Monitoring – IPM
Agricultural Machinery
Monitoring – Environmental Quality
Equipaments
Monitoring – Food Chains
Kits for diagnostics
OGMs & Biosafety
Vaccines Crop Management Systems
Germplasm Exchange
Crop Adaptation Processes
Quarentine Analysis
Food Processing Methodology
Information Networks
Plant & Animal Transformation
Franchising
Gene Prospection Methodology
Quality Control
Integrated Pest Management
Consultancy
Fingerprinting
Training
Agroecological Zoning
Business Incubation
Traceability & Certification

19. Evolution of Agriculture in Brazil
Moving Towards Sustainability

20. Moving Towards Sustainability
Changes in Grain Production and Area - 1991 to 2010*
Source: MAPA, 2010

21. Moving Towards Sustainability
Increasing agricultural modernization and food production capacity
with great emphasis to environmental protection
Source: http://www.unep.org/geo/pdfs/geo5/GEO5_report_full_en.pdf

22. Moving Towards Sustainability
Brazil has one of the largest area of protected land in the world
Source: http://www.unep.org/geo/pdfs/geo5/GEO5_report_full_en.pdf

23. Sustainable Expansion of Agriculture in Brazil
Use of advanced geo-technologies, zoning and management on territory basis
Brazil is using Zoning Technology to
Manage Agricultural Expansion
Agroecological Zoning of
Sugarcane for ethanol production
87% of sugarcane
production
http://www.cnps.embrapa.br/zoneamento_cana_de_acucar/ZonCana.pdf Source: UNICA.

24. Strong Emphasis in Conservation Agriculture
Brazil's agriculture has been significantly impacted by the transformation of
farming from the old intensive tillage systems to new no-till systems.
million ha Cultivated area under no-till systems in Brazil
Growing Seasons
current
Brazilian farmers have been the pioneers in no-till farming, maximizing the
productivity benefits from Embrapa and other organizations´ R&D.
Sources: Emater-RS, Epagri-SC, Emater-PR, Cati-SP, Fundação MS, Apdc (cerrado) / Bigma Consultoria
(http://www.bigma.com.br/artigos.asp?id=96)

25. Strong Emphasis in Conservation Agriculture
Rotating annual crops such as maize, soybean and rice with no tillage allows intensification of land
use, increased productivity per hectare, and reduced need for clearing more land for agriculture.
Integrating crops and livestock with zero tillage allows reduced use of energy and leaching
herbicides, lower fertilizer use and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
http://www.agrolink.com.br/noticias/itaipu-e-embrapa-buscam-
ampliar-uso-do-biogas-e-do-plantio-direto_144538.html
http://www.agorams.com.br/jornal/2012/01/manejo-de-solo-adequado-aumento-da-
produtividade-e-ganhos-economicos/
Source: Landers 2007

26. Before Conservation Agriculture
In the past: intensive tillage systems leading to severe soil compaction and erosion
Source: Modified from Oliveira and Trecenti, 2009

27. Conservation Agriculture in Brazil
Massive conversion of intensive tillage systems to no-till systems
Harnessing ecosystem services on-farm and on large landscape level
Agriculture is becoming a
“producer” of clean water

28. Conservation Agriculture in Brazil
Key component of Brazil´s low carbon emission program for agriculture
Public policies are in place to support CA-based production systems
Contributions of CA towards a low carbon agriculture:
Facilitating carbon sequestration – Reducing green house gas emissions;
Minimizing soil degradation, including erosion and chemical pollution; and
Responding to constraints such as high energy, input costs and resource scarcity.

29. New Frontiers in Conservation Agriculture in Brazil
Intensification of land use with integrated crop-livestock-forest systems
Supported by Brazil´s low carbon emission program for agriculture
Source: MAPA, 2010 – Photos by Votorantin Metais

30. New Frontiers in Conservation Agriculture in Brazil
Intensification of land use with
integrated crop-livestock-forest
systems
Target: 60+ million ha of degraded
pastures – the new agricultural frontier
- System´s View and Complexity -
Combination of 90+ different
technologies
Source: Embrapa Cerrados

31. Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems
Corn being harvested and pasture is ready to receive cattle

32. Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems
Source: Embrapa Cerrados

33. Sharing Knowledge – Gaining Time
Structuring Projects in Africa
Pro-Savannah Project - Mozambique
Brazil
13º S
Lichinga
Nacala corridor
Nampula
17º S
Similar biomes
Similar challenges
New learning opportunities
A common vision for the future

34. Evolution of Agriculture in Brazil
Challenges

35. Inclusion of Small and Family Farmers
Still a gap to technology use in agriculture
Mais da metade dos estabelecimentos agropecuários do
país utiliza baixo conteúdo tecnológico em sua
produção, informa estudo do Instituto de Pesquisa
Econômica Aplicada (Ipea). Quase 22% dos entrevistados
responderam que usam só sete de 22 métodos de auxílio à
produção.
Esses métodos incluem utilização de fertilizantes, corretivos
de solo, defensivos, tratores, orientação
técnica, financiamento, cooperativismo, controle de
pragas, unidades armazenadoras, entre outros exemplos.
Do total de 5,2 milhões de estabelecimentos rurais no
país, listados no último Censo Agropecuário do
IBGE, apenas 983 mil usavam alta tecnologia, ou seja, mais
de nove dos 22 métodos de produção. O estudo, que fez 22
perguntas a produtores e pecuaristas, dividiu as unidades
de produção em 4,3 milhões da agricultura familiar e 809
mil da empresarial. Do total familiar, 19% usam alta
tecnologia. Na agricultura empresarial, 18% dos
estabelecimentos usam mais de nove métodos, o que os
http://www.ipea.gov.br/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9467 classifica como usuários de alta tecnologia.

36. Challenges to Agricultural Development in the Tropics
- Tropical areas are the most challenging to agriculture -
Intense biotic (pests) and abiotic (drought, soil acidity, low nutrients, etc) stresses.
All these challenges will be intensified with the global climatic changes.
Source: based on Cline, W. R. 2007. Global Warming and Agriculture: Impact Estimates by Country. Washington D.C.: Peterson Institute
Available at: http://www.unep.org/geo/pdfs/geo5/GEO5_report_full_en.pdf

37. Energy Use - GHG Emissions - Food Waste
Source: http://www.fao.org/docrep/015/an913e/an913e.pdf

38. Agriculture and Green House Gas Emissions
Agriculture is an important source
of green house gas emissions:
Nitrogen Fertilizers (N20)
Enteric fermentation (CH4)
Animal waste (CH4 e N20)
Rice cultivation (CH4)
Burning of agricultural waste (…)
Biomass burning (CH4 e N20)
…
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2011/04/global-carbon-footprint/

39. Total Global Water Withdrawn
In billions of cubic meters, 2007
Globally, agriculture
accounts for nearly 70
percent of all water
withdrawals.
Source: FAO data from Global Harvest Initiative GAP Report (2011).

40. Food Security… But Also Nutritional Security!
http://awesome.good.is/transparency/web/0910/world-health/flat.html
Megachange: The World in 2050
by The Economist on May 01, 2012

41. Food Security… But Also Food Safety!
Analysis of the international
food-trade network shows great
vulnerability to the fast spread of
contaminants.
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0037810
Source: Ercsey-Ravasz M, Toroczkai Z, Lakner Z, Baranyi J (2012) Complexity of the International Agro-Food Trade
Network and Its Impact on Food Safety. PLoS ONE 7(5): e37810. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0037810

42. Evolution of Agriculture in Brazil
Conclusions

43. Conclusions
Governments cannot have a simplistic view of the challenges
involved in achieving food and nutritional security while moving
towards more sustainable agricultural systems…
…especially in tropical areas, where are the poorest countries
and the most challenging environments to agriculture;

44. Conclusions
Countries must devise ways of combining public policies
and support to drive:
Institutional and human development,
Infrastructure investments,
Science-based innovation strategies, and
Entrepreneurship (farmers, PPP, etc).

45. Many Challenges Ahead…
Sustainability & Economic Growth must not be seen as
substitutes but complements in development
Economic prosperity
as a way to improve the environment
Economy Synergy
Environment
Environment
as a new opportunity of economic prosperity
Source: Modified from UNEP, 2010

46. Many Challenges Ahead…
Communication with Society
Agriculture must not be seen as a problem, but as a
solution and key component in the path towards a more
sustainable future.