Belém do Pará, Brazil, 11 November 2025 (IICA) – At the start of COP30, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) took yet another step towards strengthening their partnership, which has focused on driving the incorporation of innovation and new technologies in Latin American and Caribbean agriculture.
At the Agrizone of the conference in Belém do Pará, the two institutions signed an agreement formalizing their cooperation, aimed at implementing the Radar Agtech initiative, which promotes innovation in the agricultural ecosystem, across the entire region.
The agreement was signed by Silvia Massruhá, President of EMBRAPA, and Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA.
Radar Agtech is a ground-breaking initiative launched by EMBRAPA. Its goal is to identify and analyze innovations and trends in the agrifood sector, foster dialogue and drive sustainable and inclusive development in agribusiness.
Startups in the agriculture sector can register voluntarily and free of charge in Radar Agtech, enabling them to become part of a large directory of technology companies in the agriculture sector.
Through exclusive events on topics such as sources of financing, talent management, and the needs and challenges facing agrotechnology companies, registered companies have an opportunity to interact with other members of the innovation ecosystem. By gathering crucial information on key players in the ecosystem, Radar AgTech seeks to provide a comprehensive and detailed perspective of the agrifood innovation landscape.
Radar Agtech has already become a benchmark for innovations in Brazil’s agrifood sector, which stands out for its ability to capture market transformations and trends. Through the agreement with IICA, the initiative will be made available to the entire Latin American and Caribbean region. This represents an important step in the joint efforts to drive innovation and strengthen agricultural entrepreneurship on the continent.
During the ceremony for the signing of the agreement, Massruhá also presented Otero with an award on behalf of EMBRAPA for his contribution and long-standing commitment to technical and scientific cooperation in support of sustainable and inclusive agriculture on the continent.
“We would like to recognize Manuel Otero, who is nearing the end of his eight-year term at the helm of IICA. We have stood by his work and that of his entire team in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we can say that he is a true leader: someone who trains new leaders”, said the President of EMBRAPA, a Brazilian state-owned entity that has played a central role in transforming and increasing agricultural productivity and sustainability in Brazil.
“Radar AgTech is a pioneering initiative by EMBRAPA. As Brazil continues to strengthen its standing as an agrifood powerhouse, its producers will need science and technology, which we are ready to share with other countries”, she added.
Otero, for his part, expressed his gratitude for the recognition on behalf of the entire IICA team. He referred to the historic relationship between the hemispheric organization and EMBRAPA since the latter was founded in 1973, noting that the entities have worked together to create public goods to assist in developing a tropical agriculture and livestock model that guarantees food security.
“EMBRAPA”, he said, “is a beacon that illuminates Latin America, the Caribbean and the world with science and innovation. IICA has worked closely with EMBRAPA from the outset, and that relationship continues to grow stronger, at a time when food security is at the top of the global agenda. When two institutions sign a cooperation agreement, the most important thing is what comes next. In this case, there will be more joint work aimed at driving science-based agricultural development in Latin America and the Caribbean”.
More information:
Institutional Communication Division.
comunicacion.institucional@iica.int
