What is EMBRAPA?

EMBRAPA (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária or the Brazilian Organization for Agricultural Research) is an agency of Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply charged with developing and extending technology across a broad range of program areas to achieve sustainable agricultural development in Brazil.

Find out more about EMBRAPA

What is LABEX-USA?

LABEX-USA is EMBRAPA’s ‘virtual’ laboratory in the US.  EMBRAPA selects senior scientists from previously identified research focus areas to travel to the US for short or long term durations and conduct research in collaboration with ARS staff at host laboratories.  EMBRAPA funds the scientists' salaries and expenses and ARS provides office and laboratory space, equipment, and supplies, as well as scientific support.

LABEX-USA and USDA-ARS partnership

History

USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Brazil have a substantial history of mutually beneficial collaboration.  In 1995, ARS and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to encourage cooperation on agricultural research topics of mutual interest.  In April 1998, the virtual laboratory, LABEX-USA, was created through a specific trust agreement and has been a vital component to the collaboration between EMBRAPA and ARS.

Goals/Objectives

• Improve agricultural research cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and Brazil
• Capitalize on opportunities and research trends with potential benefits for agribusiness in both countries.

Benefits for Brazil

• Keep abreast of latest developments in agricultural research through intensified cooperation with the US.
• Continuous investment in research and international cooperation enhances Brazil’s role as a world leader in the agribusiness field

Benefits for USA

• Opportunities for reverse seasonal data collection in Brazil
• Collaboration on scientific areas of interest
• Germplasm exchange 

Contact info:

Félix Humberto França, PhD

EMBRAPA LABEX-USA Coordinator

USDA/ARS/OIRP

5601 Sunnyside Avenue, MS 5141

Beltsville, MD 20705-5141

Ph: +1-301-504-4556

Fax:  +1-301-504-4528

felix.franca@ars.usda.gov

Sara Calvert

International Affairs Specialist – Central and South America

USDA/ARS/OIRP

5601 Sunnyside Avenue, MS 5141

Beltsville, MD 20705-5141

Ph: +1-301-504-4545

Fax:  +1-301-504-4528

Sara.calvert@ars.usda.gov