Embrapa must be strengthened, says new Minister of Agriculture.

The handover ceremony for the position of Minister of State for Agriculture and Livestock was held this Wednesday (1st), in Brasília, at the Embrapa headquarters. On the occasion, Minister Carlos Fávaro handed over the position to Minister André de Paula. With more than 40 years of public life, André de Paula assumes the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock after having led the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture since January 2023. A native of Recife (PE), a lawyer graduated from the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), the new minister has a consolidated career in the Legislative and Executive branches, working on issues such as rural production, agrarian reform, the environment and sustainable development. During his speech, the new Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, André de Paula, highlighted the priorities for his administration. “I assume the ministry with a commitment to the continuity of public policies, governance, and the strategic vision that structure the sector and guarantee predictability and confidence in Brazil. We will continue to strengthen segments such as the Plano Safra (Agricultural Plan), the PGPM (Price Guarantee Program for Agricultural Production), Funcafé (Coffee Fund), and Rural Insurance. We will be attentive to the technological transformations that shape the present and future of agriculture,” he said. André de Paula also highlighted strategic axes that guide the Ministry and that will remain a priority. “We will be attentive to the technological transformations that shape the future of agriculture. Innovation, automation, and the strategic use of artificial intelligence are already a reality in the field and will be increasingly decisive. Embrapa must be strengthened, with a technical base and strategic vision. Producing food today requires quality, safety, and sustainability. Agricultural defense remains an essential pillar. Our sanitary system is a strategic asset and will continue to be treated as a priority,” he emphasized. The new minister concluded by thanking the former minister. “It is necessary to recognize the results of the Ministry of Agriculture under the leadership of Minister Carlos Fávaro and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, which consolidated Brazil as a global power. Fávaro's management was marked by seriousness and public commitment, leaving a solid institutional, technical, and strategic base that guides the present and projects the country into the future,” concluded Minister André. In his speech, former minister and senator Carlos Fávaro highlighted the progress achieved and the modernization process led during his tenure. “Today, for example, I was pleased to learn that the first Brazilian ship loaded with DDG, a co-product of corn-based ethanol production, is already being loaded and heading to China. These are opportunities that have transformed Brazil's reality and brought more dignity to Brazilians. It is proof that Brazilian exports will continue to grow, becoming increasingly stronger, more significant, and more relevant.” Fávaro concluded his speech by stating… “Finally, this is an accounting, perhaps a little lengthy, but the result of much work and the effort of many people throughout this period. André, keep going. You are just as, or even more, competent and will lead this Ministry team, building even greater results.” The transition occurs in a context of continuity of public policies aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector, which remains one of the main engines of the national economy. Dynamic and resilient, Brazilian agribusiness continues to expand, driven by innovation, sustainability and market expansion, reaffirming its strategic role in generating employment, income and food security for Brazil and the world. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Social Security, Wolney Queiroz; the Minister of Communications, Frederico de Siqueira Filho; the newly appointed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Édipo Araújo; the president of Embrapa, Silvia Massruhá; as well as the entire technical staff at the Ministry of Agriculture. :: MANAGEMENT REVIEW Fávaro presented a review of his management at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) during the ceremony, highlighting the historic record of opening 555 new international markets in three years. This result was driven by a strategy based on active commercial diplomacy, international dialogue, and strengthening sanitary confidence, allowing Brazil to expand its exports even in the face of global trade tensions and maintain its leadership as a world food supplier. During this period, the administration also stood out for expanding rural credit, with the execution of R$ 1.547 trillion through the Harvest Plans, more than double the volume of the previous government. This effort strengthened productive capacity, boosted investments in the field, generated employment and income, and expanded instruments such as rural insurance. Simultaneously, programs such as Caminho Verde Brasil and Eco Invest mobilized more than R$ 50 billion for the recovery of degraded areas, reintegrating approximately 4.5 million hectares into the productive system. The report also highlighted the growth of agribusiness, which registered an 11.7% increase in 2025 and contributed significantly to the national GDP, in addition to record production exceeding 1.3 billion tons. The administration also consolidated agricultural and livestock defense, addressing sanitary crises quickly and guaranteeing Brazil's international credibility, expanded access for small producers to markets through SISBI, modernized public systems, and strengthened strategic institutions such as Embrapa, while simultaneously investing in the enhancement of public service and rural infrastructure. 

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.