São Paulo – The five Brics member countries, Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa signed an agreement on Tuesday (29) to minimize the negative effects of climate change on food safety. According to information disclosed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (Mapa), the declaration was signed by the ministers of Agriculture of the five nations, who met in South Africa.
The agreement forecasts initiative for cooperation within and without the Brics, to foster production of food and lower dependence on climate effects. “It is necessary to reach rapid and consistent knowledge regarding cultivation calendars and introduction of sustainable practices and genetic material, based on biotechnology. This is one of the main actions to guarantee productivity and adequate offer, in volume and sanity, compatible with the demands of the world population,” said the Brazilian minister of Agriculture, Antônio Andrade.
At the meeting, Andrade pointed out the work of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) in the development of research on the impacts of climate change on livestock and grain. He also mentioned measures that help mitigate climate effects on cultivation, like modification in the seeding date, changes in seeding, irrigation and shading techniques.
“Brazil is also progressing in the adoption of new and promising agricultural practices. For example, conversion of degraded pastures or low generation land into integrated systems with crops and forests, generating a positive effect on coexistence with higher temperatures,” he said.
*Translated by Mark Ament
