The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) has launched a new initiative to address a common issue in both Portugal and Brazil: the exodus of young people from rural areas in search of better employment opportunities and living conditions. The program, named Semear Digital, aims to integrate technology into agriculture to enhance productivity and retention in rural areas.
Embrapa, which has played a pivotal role in transforming Brazil into a global agricultural powerhouse, is expanding its successful model to Portugal through partnerships with three Portuguese institutions: Associação Mobilizar com Valores (MCV) in Braga, INESC-TEC in Porto, and Casa Escola Agrícola Campo Verde (CEACV). The Semear Digital program is designed to provide small-scale farmers with the tools and technology needed to compete effectively in the market.
Ivan Bergier, a researcher at Embrapa involved with Semear Digital, explains, “The program’s focus is not just on transferring knowledge but on developing new machines and technologies together. Portugal’s agricultural conditions, such as coffee production on slopes, have similarities with Brazil’s environments, making it possible to adapt innovations across both countries.”
The initiative, which began in Brazil with six key institutions including the Center for Research and Development in Telecommunications and the Federal University of Lavras, focuses on various technological advancements. These include artificial intelligence, new applications, automation, precision agriculture, and the Internet of Things. For instance, technology for precise dosage of inputs can reduce costs and environmental impact.
Ricardo Figueiredo, a retired Embrapa employee and now a volunteer at MCV, played a crucial role in connecting the program with Portuguese partners. He highlights the program’s potential to curb rural depopulation by offering youth specialized training in digital agriculture, thus improving their prospects and encouraging them to remain in rural areas.
Among the Portuguese partners, CEACV stands out for its direct engagement with rural youth, offering vocational courses in agriculture. João Nuno Novaes from CEACV believes that practical training in agricultural businesses can significantly contribute to the success of the Semear Digital program.
Despite the challenges of integrating innovation into existing agricultural practices, Novaes is optimistic about the program’s impact. He notes that while extensive research is conducted in academic institutions, it often does not reach the agricultural sector. The collaboration with CEACV aims to bridge this gap and facilitate the adoption of new technologies in the field.
A meeting to further discuss the program will be held at the Junta de Freguesia de Rates in Póvoa de Varzim, with Silvia Massruhá, President of Embrapa, expected to attend.
