Embrapa

Name

Embrapa

Legal name

Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária

Website

https://embrapa.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry (115), Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Breeding Program Design & Genetic Consulting (Mating Plans, EPD/Index Selection) (AFACAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Organic & Biological Input Retail (Biostimulants, Biopesticides, OMRI) (AFABAJAK)

Keywords

• Agricultural research services
• Crop cultivar development
• Biological nitrogen fixation
• Technology transfer licensing
• Climate risk zoning

Headquarters

HQ city

Brasília

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government funding: Embrapa is a public Brazilian agricultural research corporation (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária) funded primarily through the Brazilian federal government budget. As a state-owned enterprise, it receives public funding to conduct agricultural research for the Brazilian government and society.
2. Technology licensing: Embrapa licenses its developed technologies, seeds, and cultivars to private companies including seed producers and agricultural input manufacturers. Technologies are commercialized through licensed partners who pay royalties for the right to produce and sell Embrapa-developed products.
3. Technology transfer services: Embrapa provides technology transfer services including training, technical assistance, and consulting to farmers, agricultural businesses, and government agencies. These services are offered through programs like ATER+ Digital and Semear Digital targeting smallholder farmers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Embrapa (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária) is Brazil's federal agricultural research corporation that develops and transfers agricultural technologies, crop cultivars, livestock genetics, biological inputs, and digital tools. Its offerings span BRS-branded seed cultivars (sorghum, brachiaria, potato, grape, blackberry), microbial inoculants for biological nitrogen fixation, climate risk zoning tools, digital extension platforms (ATER+ Digital, Semear Digital, E-Campo), and technology licensing programs delivered through a nationwide network of 50+ decentralized research units.

Product overview

Embrapa (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária) operates as Brazil's national agricultural research corporation, offering a diverse portfolio of agricultural technologies, cultivars, digital platforms, and services. The portfolio includes BRS branded crop cultivars (sorghum, brachiaria, potato, grape, blackberry), digital tools (Irriga Certo irrigation app, Portal de Periódicos, ATER+ Digital platform), agricultural programs (Zarc climate risk zoning, Semear Digital, Balde Cheio), and research services (controlled-release fertilizers, biodegradable packaging films). The company licenses seeds and genetic materials through its cultivar program and provides e-learning through the E-Campo platform. Embrapa also maintains institutional infrastructure including the Portal Embrapa, SEI administrative system, and technology transfer mechanisms. Recent innovations include the BRS 662 forage sorghum hybrid for bioenergy and the CarbonXtras climate monitoring project in Ghana.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ageitec: Agência Embrapa de Informação Tecnológica - technology information agency providing agricultural technical information
• ATER+ Digital
• Semear Digital
• Agropensa
• ILPF (Integração Lavoura-Pecuária-Floresta)
• Balde Cheio
• Zarc (Zoneamento Agrícola de Risco Climático)

Products and services

• Irriga Certo Mobile application for irrigation management in tropical fruits that uses soil characteristics, planted crop, irrigation system, and climatic conditions data to assist in planning, monitoring, and decision-making regarding irrigation.
• BRS Carinás Forage Grass Cultivar First hybrid cultivar of Brachiaria decumbens developed by Embrapa Cerrados for tropical forage areas, designed for medium to low fertility Cerrado regions, offering 18% more annual forage compared to traditional brachiaria, 32% more leaves during rainy season, and 50% more live material during dry season.
• BRS 662 (LAS6002F) Giant Forage Sorghum Hybrid Giant forage sorghum hybrid developed by Embrapa Corn and Sorghum and Latina Seeds for silage, biogas, and energy cogeneration. Offers forage yield potential above 80 tons per hectare with a cycle of up to 125 days.
• Amora BRS Karajá (Blackberry Cultivar) Blackberry cultivar combining high fruit quality, ease of management, and absence of thorns, serving both fresh market and processing. Adapted to main producing regions with balanced flavor and good sugar content.
• Batata BRS F21 (Braschips) Potato Cultivar Potato cultivar combining high productivity, superior frying quality, and greater resistance to main potato diseases in Brazil.
• Uva BRS Pérola (Seedless White Grape Cultivar) Seedless white grape variety for fresh consumption, recommended for Serra Gaúcha region, with high productivity, attractive clusters, and balance between sweetness and acidity.
• Sistema Bacaeri-BoiTeca (ILPF Teak-Cattle Integration) Integrated teak and beef cattle system (Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration) that generates higher value-added timber products and ecosystem services with proper management.
• Biofilme de Pele de Peixe (Fish Skin Biodegradable Film) Biodegradable food packaging film developed by Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste using collagen extracted from tambatinga fish skin. Demonstrates strong mechanical resistance, superior UV blocking capacity, and lower water vapor permeability compared to other gelatin-based films.
• Novo Revestimento para Ureia (Controlled-Release Urea Coating) Controlled-release fertilizer coating technology developed by Brazilian scientists that controls fertilizer release, reduces nitrogen losses, and improves plant uptake.
• Zarc - Zoneamento Agrícola de Risco Climático Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning program using climate and soil data to help small farmers make informed decisions about planting seasons, crop selection, and risk management for climate adaptation.
• Balde Cheio (Dairy Technology Transfer Program) Technology transfer program recognized by FAO for global food security initiatives, focused on increasing milk production efficiency in smallholder dairy operations.
• E-Campo Distance Learning Platform Distance learning platform offering online courses and training for agricultural professionals, including courses on Pronaf Agroecologia project development and corn pest management.
• CarbonXtras Climate Monitoring Project Climate-smart agriculture monitoring initiative in Ghana under UK-Brazil-Africa Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership. Deploys Dynamic MRV System tracking soil health, carbon fluxes, temperature, moisture, and greenhouse gas emissions in real-time.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of Brazil's soybean acreage now uses Embrapa-developed inoculation practices
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• COP30 and COP31 PresidenciesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026COP30 Presidency and incoming COP31 Presidency strengthened cooperation on resilient food systems and climate adaptation during technical visit to Embrapa Soils in Rio de Janeiro. The visit showcased solutions including the AgriZone initiative and Plans to Accelerate Solutions (PASs) for scaling sustainable agriculture, with representatives from Brazil and Turkey exchanging experiences on transforming food systems ahead of COP31 in Antalya.
• Nestlé BrasilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNestlé Brasil and Embrapa entered into a partnership to advance research aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in key supply chains, including milk and cocoa. The initiative involves investments in genetic research and regenerative farming practices, aligning with Nestlé's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
• India-Brazil Animal Genomics PartnershipflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia and Brazil signed a tripartite MOU at the Embassy of India in Brasilia to advance dairy cattle and buffalo genomics through a cross-continental genetic improvement program. The agreement brings together Brazil's Embrapa, Fazenda Floresta & DNAMark, and India's Leads Genetics, B.L. Kamdhenu Farms, and Leads Connect to establish a Cattle & Buffalo Genomics Laboratory in India anchored at B.L. Kamdhenu Farms' 10,000-head integrated dairy farm in Bareilly.
• ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia's ICAR signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Brazil's Embrapa in July 2025 to develop climate-resilient soybean crops under the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform framework. The collaboration is part of India's strategy to enhance food security, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and facilitate knowledge exchange among BRICS member countries through joint research projects and training programmes.
• ARISE Initiative (AgriTech for Resilience, Innovation & Sustainable Ecosystems)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA trilateral platform launched in 2025 and funded by the UK Government Tactical Fund with leadership from Agri-TechE and partners including The Yield Lab Institute, Embrapa, Agri TIERR A, and Earthbase. The initiative connects science, technology, and investment ecosystems across the UK, US, and Latin America through capability mapping, startup evaluation, and knowledge exchange.
• Leads ConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNoida-headquartered agritech firm Leads Connect inaugurated AI-powered platforms ICCRI and KEDAR-PARVATI in collaboration with Embrapa and others during President Lula's state visit to India. The platforms integrate satellite intelligence, field analytics, and financial risk modeling to support governments, financial institutions, and farmers, with an upcoming India-Brazil Agri-Tech and Agri Value Chain Corridor initiative focused on the cashew value chain.
• UPLminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUPL launched its global campaign #AFarmerCan ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, showcasing 20 farmer stories illustrating agriculture's contribution to climate mitigation. UPL participates in the AgriZone by Embrapa, featuring case studies including a low methane rice initiative from India.
• CarbonXtras Project (UK-Brazil-Africa Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded by UK's FCDO and led by The James Hutton Institute, CSIR-CRI, Embrapa, and Sonavision, the project aims to deploy a Dynamic MRV System tracking soil health, carbon fluxes, temperature, moisture, and greenhouse-gas emissions across Ghana. The project completed nationwide baseline soil sampling and is expanding real-time monitoring tools.
• Instituto Clima e SociedadecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in organizing the COP30 and COP31 technical visit to Embrapa Soils, working together on solutions for resilient food systems and climate adaptation ahead of COP31 in Antalya.
• Latina SeedscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerEmbrapa Corn and Sorghum and Latina Seeds launched the giant forage sorghum hybrid BRS 662 (LAS6002F). The first commercial production run for the 2026 harvest totaled 10,000 bags of seed, sold across Brazil and exported to Paraguay, with plans to at least triple volumes for the following harvest cycle.
• UniPastocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed distributor for Embrapa's BRS Carinás forage grass cultivar and other Embrapa technologies. Located in Brasília with contact information provided on Embrapa's portal.
• Embrapii ITECH-Agro UnitcoreTechnology or IntegrationEmbrapa Instrumentação hosts an Embrapii unit (inspired by Germany's Fraunhofer Institute model) located in São Carlos, SP. The unit provides access to non-reimbursable research funds and cutting-edge technology to solve agricultural problems, reducing costs in R&D and sharing innovation risks with partners.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation): Australia's national science agency with a major agriculture and food business unit. Comparable in scale and government mandate, though CSIRO's portfolio extends well beyond agriculture into energy, manufacturing, and digital technologies.
• Bayer Crop Science: Division of Bayer AG operating globally in seeds, crop protection, and digital farming. Competes with Embrapa-developed technologies in soybean genetics, biological inputs, and digital agriculture, but as a diversified private sector incumbent.
• Corteva Agriscience: Major U.S.-based global agritech company providing seeds, crop protection, and digital solutions. Overlaps with Embrapa in seed cultivar development and digital agriculture, but operates as a private for-profit competitor with substantially larger R&D budgets.
• CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research): Global partnership integrating 15 international agricultural research centers including CIMMYT, IRRI, and ICRISAT. Comparable as a coordinating R&D ecosystem addressing tropical agriculture, food security, and climate adaptation, though CGIAR is multi-institutional rather than a single research corporation.

Direct peers

• AgResearch (New Zealand): New Zealand's Crown Research Institute specializing in pastoral, agri-food, and greenhouse gas mitigation research. Comparable as a government-owned agricultural research entity, with similar livestock genetics and biological-input research portfolios.
• USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS): The principal in-house research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with a roughly $1.7B annual budget and ~2,000 scientists. Closely comparable in its federal mandate to deliver scientific solutions to American agriculture and its global influence on crop and livestock research.
• INRAE (Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement): France's national public research institute for agriculture, food, and environment. Closely comparable to Embrapa in mission (public-interest agricultural R&D), scale (~10,000 staff), and role as a government-backed research powerhouse serving national agricultural competitiveness.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): India's apex body for agricultural research, education, and extension, coordinating a network of ICAR institutes. Directly comparable as a government agricultural research umbrella; notably ICAR is also an Embrapa partner under the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform.
• Rothamsted Research: The world's oldest agricultural research station (founded 1843), now operated as a UK Research and Innovation-supported institute. Comparable in its applied agricultural research focus on crop science, soil health, and sustainable farming systems.
• Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS): China's national agricultural scientific research organization operating 40+ institutes. Comparable in scale, government-backed mandate, and role in driving national food security through crop genetics, biotechnology, and agricultural technology development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/embrapa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Embrapa