Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s Kerchanshe Group and Brazil’s Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at expanding joint work in agricultural technology, with coffee development and modern production systems at the core.
The deal was concluded in Addis Ababa on February 7, 2026, a day after the Ethiopia–Brazil Trade and Investment Forum held in the Ethiopian capital. The signing is positioned as a follow-up step to deepen economic engagement between the two countries.
Work planned in Oromia coffee area
According to information shared at the signing ceremony, the partnership will focus on coffee development in Debeka, located in Abaya Woreda of West Guji Zone in Ethiopia’s Oromia region.
The agreement outlines cooperation on agricultural quality improvement and control systems, along with training and other capacity-building activities for workers involved in the programme.
Officials attend signing
Ethiopia’s State Minister of Agriculture, Efa Muleta, said the agreement is expected to contribute to the country’s economic growth. He added that the government intends to closely monitor progress and provide support aimed at effective implementation and measurable outcomes.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials and invited guests, including Brazil’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Jandyr Ferreira dos Santos, and Embrapa President Silvia Maria Fonseca Silveira Massruhá.
Kerchanshe Group Chief Executive Officer Israel Degafa said Ethiopia and Brazil share similarities in their agricultural sectors, and described the framework as a way to strengthen cooperation through technology transfer and the sharing of Brazil’s experience in agricultural development, particularly in coffee.
Embrapa’s research focus
Embrapa is a major research institution linked to Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply. It is known for research, development and innovation in areas including plant genetic improvement, soil and crop systems, bio-inputs, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
Through international cooperation programmes, Embrapa has expanded partnerships across Africa and Latin America to support knowledge exchange, technical training, and technology transfer aimed at addressing shared agricultural and ecological challenges.
Coffee exports and value chains
Information presented during the event noted that Kerchanshe currently exports coffee seedlings to more than 20 countries, reflecting Ethiopia’s growing participation in global coffee value chains.
The agreement aligns with Ethiopia’s stated efforts to modernise agriculture, improve productivity and strengthen food security, while also supporting collaboration in sustainable approaches such as low-carbon production systems.
Coffee remains a key export commodity for Ethiopia, and with Ethiopia and Brazil both recognised as major coffee producers, the partnership sets out a channel for longer-term collaboration on technology, quality standards and competitiveness in international markets.