Since 2002, Agropolis International has been hosting the Brazilian LABEX and has been a facilitator for Embrapa and its local partners (CIRAD, INRA, IRD…).
The LABEX mission is to post Senior scientists in ‘cutting-edge’ teams located in France and Europe where they work on the issues they have selected.

These scientists work jointly with the hosting research teams while keeping up with the scientific and technological innovations in their field.

The LABEX is supported by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Currently, six Brazilian researchers are posted in several laboratories (Montpellier, Avignon, Dijon, Wageningen in the Netherlands, Rothamstead in the United kingdom).

 

Project story and balance

After a successful first experience in the USA in partnership with USDA ARS, Embrapa decided in 2002 to set up a second LABEX and selected Agropolis International, at Montpellier to host it.

Four Brazilian researchers were initially posted for two years in Montepellier laboratories, one of them being appointed as the LABEX coordinator. The issues had been determined by Embrapa in relation to joint scientific priorities in Brazil and in France and also by taking into account the critical research mass to allow a fruitful cooperation dynamic between the 2 countries.

For six years, 12 researchers including 3 coordinators, have been following one another to deal on four issues:

• Genomics and plant biotechnology
• Agrifood technologies
• Management of natural resources
• Agricultural economics
  

After 6 years the balance has been considered as highly positive by all the stakeholders involved. The LABEX has increased the number of collaborations, more particularly between Brazil and France, while opening up to the other European countries. This original kind of partnership arouses interest among other countries (Argentina, China).

Embrapa in short

Embrapa (Empresa Brasileira de pescuisa Agropecuaria, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) has the task of providing solutions for sustainable agricultural development in Brazil by means of the creation and transfer of technologies. Founded in 1973, it has thus developed thousands of technologies of use in Brazilian agriculture, reduced production costs and helped Brazil to increase its food output while conserving natural resources and the environment.

With more than 2000 research scientists, Embrapa has built up a network of 41 research centres, 3 services centres and 13 central divisions. Present in all the Brazilian states, it coordonates the national agricultural research system. Embrapa is also involved in numerous international cooperation projects in particular through the Labex-today in the United States, Europe and Asia-and thanks to technological transfer offices in Africa (Ghana), Venezuela and Panama.