Rabat – The Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB) discussed collaboration with cooperatives from Arab countries representatives during a mission organized by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA) to Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan this month. The executive director of the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (FecoAgro/RS), Sergio Feltraco (pictured above), represented the OCB on the trip, which aimed to find alternatives for fertilizer supply to Brazil.
“In the events in which we had the opportunity to get closer to the cooperatives, there was an intention to structure a mechanism to make up a possible exchange of experiences, especially concerning agricultural cooperatives, both in Jordan and Egypt,” stated Feltraco to ANBA at the end of the mission.
The executive sees the possibility of taking Brazilian expertise to the Arabs, especially in the agricultural sector, where cooperatives in the region are not closely linked. “Especially in Egypt, where there is a closer relationship with housing,” he said about the Egyptian cooperatives, emphasizing there is a local desire to promote more significant development of agricultural cooperatives.
In Jordan and Egypt, Feltraco met with representatives of national cooperative organizations that, just as the OCB, are part of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). In Egypt, the Brazilian organization was also invited to participate in a sector event in October to share their experiences. “They want to dedicate a year to discussing agricultural cooperativism and requested some experiences from Brazil,” said Feltraco.
The OCB representative was responsible for organizing discussions and structuring the proposals in the Brazilian organization. The OCB brings together cooperatives from different sectors in Brazil, from health to credit, transport, and agriculture, among others. Cooperativism in Brazil is very remarkable in the agricultural sector, accounting for 53% of national soy production, for instance, and is firmly based on family farming. “Brazilian agricultural cooperativism is very mature,” said Feltraco.
In addition to discussions with Arab cooperatives, the OCB participated in the general schedule of the mission, led by the Brazilian minister of Agriculture, Marcos Montes. Like other entities that made up the delegation, the OCB was presented as a representative of the Brazilian agricultural sector to the Arabs. Among the discussions at the mission was a possible direct supply of Arab fertilizers to Brazilian producers, which Feltraco defended.
Read more on the Brazilian mission to the Arab countries:
- Brazil’s Embrapa could open facility in Morocco
- Brazilians ask for smaller tax to sell poultry to Morocco
- Morocco’s OCP to open phosphate plant in Brazil
- Egyptians ask for Brazil’s help to contain food prices
- Egypt: Brazil’s Marcos Montes discussed food security
- Brazil’s Embrapa pens agreement with Egyptian institute
- Egypt supplies 3% of fertilizers imported by Brazil
- Brazilian minister talked fertilizer supply with Egyptians
- Jordan, Brazil seek to boost bilateral trade
- Jordanians seek phosphate joint venture with Brazil
- Jordanian company to increase potash exports to Brazil
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
