b'SOUTH AMERICAN SPOTLIGHTBrazil Gains Momentum in AgricultureBrazil continues to firm up its position as an agriculture powerhouse in South America. Alex MartinTHERE ARE Anumber of countries revvingIn its 851 million hectares of land, 85 million hec-to be known as the powerhouse of agricul- tares are in crop production, while roughly 180 mil-ture. Though the immediate ones to come to mindlion hectares is used in pastures. And a majority of might be the U.S., China and India, one close com- the land? Brazil has 556 million hectares dedicated petitor comes from the south: Brazil. to native forests, indigenous reservations, national Brazil, the fifth largest country on earth in areareserves, protected areas and national parks, while and population, as well as the largest in termsonly 3.5% of the country represents urban areas, of arable land, is one of the top four agriculturethe USDA says. producers globally according to Investopedia. But,But, since 2002, the agriculture sector has Brazil isnt stopping thereits among the fewexpanded hugely in Brazil. According to the USDA countries with the potential to increase agriculturalwith statistics from the Trade Data Monitor, bulk productivity.agro-food products (i.e. oilseeds, grains, cotton)851 millionThis growth was observed in 2019 by Kengrew 11.5% from 2002 to 2021and in recenthectares is theResearch, which wrote a report called Brazil Seedyears, the growth of exports of processed prod- amount of land Brazil Market Outlook to 2023 stating that the drive wasucts (i.e. fresh, chilled and prepared meats, dairyhas in total.due to increased levels of production and export- products, and processed fruit and vegetables) has ing of crops such as soybean, sugarcane, wheataccelerated to nearly 10% annual growth, and the and corn. sector now accounts for 32% of agro-food exports In addition to that, technological advance- compared with 44% of bulk commodities.85 millionment and improved seeds have played a key roleAlong with the establishment of rapid growthhectares are usedin increasing productivity and agricultural devel- of Brazils agricultural sector in the 1970s came thein crop production.opment, the report said. In Brazil, a dynamicestablishment of the Brazilian Seed and Seedlings seed industry is evident with the participation ofAssociation, or ABRASEM, in 1972. The organiza-both private and state sectors in R&D throughtion brings together state seed producer asso-the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporationciations, representative entities and companies180 million (EMBRAPA). around the seed sector in Brazil to encouragehectares are usedThat growth has continued since 2019, thanksresearch, production, multiplication, processing,in pastures. to hard work from growers and the seed sector.storage and marketing to create a strong and The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)active institutional representation. Foreign Agriculture Service notes that Brazil ranksSince its creation, ABRASEM has worked to among the top 12 largest economies in the world,bring value to the Brazilian seed sector by advo- 556 million with its GDP estimated at U.S.$1.65 trillion in 2021.cating and focusing on four specific areas: hectares of land is Since the 1970s and the formation of the Protection of intellectual property. dedicated to protected EMBRAPA, Brazil has heavily invested in agricul-Regulatory issues affecting the seed industry. and natural areas.tural research and technology. The USDA says Development and availability of new technol-that they were spurred by overall high commodityogy.prices, improved crop management, high-quality Communication and education. seeds and biotechnology advancesand theMake sure to flip over to page six to read more3.5% country was able to increase production signifi- about how Brazils market is expanding, particu- of Brazil is dedicatedcantly without greatly expanding land use. Overlarly in the realm of soybeans, to become a majorto urban areas.the past 20 years, grain yields have increasedagricultural powerhouse.SWroughly by 50%. 4/ SEEDWORLD.COMLATAM'