Agreement follows Ethiopia–Brazil trade forum
Ethiopian company Kerchanshe Group has signed a cooperation agreement with Brazil’s Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) to expand collaboration in agricultural technology, placing coffee development and modern production systems at the centre of the partnership.
The signing took place in Addis Ababa on February 7, a day after the Ethiopia–Brazil Trade and Investment Forum held in the city on February 6. The agreement was presented as a practical step intended to strengthen economic and technical links between the two countries.
Focus area identified in Oromia
According to information shared at the event, the cooperation will focus on coffee development work in Debeka, located in Abaya Woreda of the West Guji Zone in Ethiopia’s Oromia region.
The two institutions are set to work jointly on systems aimed at improving agricultural quality and strengthening control mechanisms. The agreement also includes capacity-building activities for workers, alongside other areas of technical cooperation connected to coffee production and related agricultural systems.
Government support and oversight highlighted
State Minister of Agriculture Efa Muleta, speaking during the signing ceremony, said the agreement is expected to contribute to Ethiopia’s economic growth. He also stated that the government would provide follow-up and the required support to help ensure implementation and measurable outcomes.
The agreement was signed in the presence of senior government officials and invited guests. Attendees included Brazilian Ambassador to Ethiopia Jandyr Ferreira dos Santos and Embrapa President Silvia Maria Fonseca Silveira Massruhá, as reported by ENA.
Technology transfer and coffee sector links
Kerchanshe Group Chief Executive Officer Israel Degafa said Ethiopia and Brazil have similarities in their agricultural sectors and noted that the framework is designed to deepen cooperation, especially through sharing Brazil’s experience in agricultural development, with emphasis on coffee development and technology transfer.
Information presented during the ceremony also noted that Kerchanshe currently exports coffee seedlings to more than 20 countries, pointing to Ethiopia’s expanding role in segments of the global coffee value chain.
Embrapa’s role in tropical agriculture research
Embrapa is a major research institution under Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply and is known for research, development and innovation in areas such as plant genetic improvement, soil-plant systems, bio-inputs, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
Through international cooperation, Embrapa has been building partnerships across Africa and Latin America focused on knowledge exchange, technical capacity-building, and technology transfer, with stated attention to sustainable agriculture and low-carbon production systems.
ENA reported that the new agreement is expected to support longer-term collaboration in tropical agriculture, with coffee—one of Ethiopia’s key export commodities—identified as a central priority.