Brazil to minimize climate change impacts on agriculture

Agriculture Ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) have signed a joint statement to minimize the negative effects of climate change on security food.

The statement is for cooperation initiatives within and outside of the BRICS, to foster the production of foods which have less dependence on climatic effects.

"You need to get fast and consistent knowledge from the life cycle calendar of crops until the introduction of sustainable practices and genetic material, based on biotechnology. This is one of the key actions to ensure productivity and volume of supply is adequate in quantity and compatible with the demands of the world population," said Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Antonio Andrade.

The minister also stressed the development of research the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), on the impacts of climate change on livestock and grain production.

"Brazil is also advancing the adoption of new agricultural practices. For example, the conversion of degraded or low-yield systems integrated with crops and forests, generating a positive effect in association with higher temperatures," he said, citing the Agriculture Low Carbon programme (ABC).