Tropical livestock cooperation and innovation initiative

Abstract

TROPICAL is a South–South cooperation and capacity-strengthening initiative that deploys a validated package of technologies and practices to transform tropical livestock systems sustainably and inclusively. Led by Embrapa, it advances science-based, locally adapted solutions for livestock production that ensure food security. The programme combines Brazilian, world partners and African scientific expertise with local and traditional knowledge to co-develop adaptive technologies, management practices, and capacity-building programmes. Through integrated crop–livestock–forest systems, bioinputs, digital monitoring, and policy support for climate-smart adoption, TROPICAL aims to turn tropical livestock into a regenerative engine of prosperity.

Partners

Scaling partners

Brazil: Federal University of Lavras (FZMV/UFLA), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), University of São Paulo (FZEA, FMVZ, ESALQ), São Paulo State University (FCAV/UNESP), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Institute of Animal Science (IZ)

Africa: Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAU); Gatsby Africa; International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI); Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO); Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR); National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI); Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI); African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF-Africa); Alliance Bioversity International & CIAT

Innovation partner

Brazil: Federal University of Lavras (FZMV/UFLA); Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM); University of São Paulo (FZEA, FMVZ, ESALQ); São Paulo State University (FCAV/UNESP); University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Institute of Animal Science (IZ)

Africa: Gatsby Africa, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR); Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI); National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI); Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI); Alliance Bioversity International & CIAT

Asia: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

Demand partners

Brazil: Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agrarian Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders (ABCZ); Brazilian Association of Canchim Breeders (ABCCAN)‍

Africa: Gatsby Africa; International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO); Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)

Financing

USD 60 million (2025-2030)

Challenge

Food security in tropical countries is unevenly distributed. In Central and South America, there is abundant land and a relatively small population, while the opposite is true in Southeast Asia. In Africa, the challenges to agricultural development span environmental, economic, and social dimensions, including climate extremes, technological gaps, animal and plant health issues, insufficient infrastructure, and land tenure and access constraints.

Brazil’s own transformation from food importer to global agricultural exporter, built on fifty years of scientific innovation, illustrates both the potential and the pitfalls of rapid agricultural development. While science enabled the adaptation of non-native crops and livestock to tropical conditions, it also led to new pressures: dependence on imported inputs, land degradation, deforestation, and regional inequalities. These experiences underscore the urgent need to redesign tropical production systems to be more resilient.

Solution

TROPICAL offers a comprehensive South–South cooperation model for transforming tropical livestock systems through science, innovation, and capacity strengthening. Led by Embrapa, the programme intends to co-develop technologies and strengthen institutional and human capacities to build inclusive, low-emission, and climate-resilient livestock production systems. Scientific knowledge developed in Brazil and Africa is adapted to agroecological and cultural contexts, enriched by local and traditional knowledge to ensure reciprocal relevance and ownership.

The programme operates through six interconnected components that together create a holistic, adaptive framework:

• Diagnosis and Monitoring
• Agricultural Zoning and Future Scenarios
• Agricultural Practices
• Impact Assessment
• Decision-Making and Adoption Tools
• Policy Support

These components work in an integrated, mutually reinforcing framework that addresses both technical and institutional challenges. By aligning knowledge generation, practice, and governance, TROPICAL turns tropical livestock into a regenerative and inclusive driver of food security and climate adaptation. A robust and transversal capacity-strengthening component accelerates the deployment of the technologies and the development of local in-house critical mass.

Impact

Proven Research and Validation

Over 20 years of validated tropical livestock research, including drought resilience, ICLF (Integrated Crop–Livestock–Forest), forage–legume intercropping, sustainable parasite control, genetic improvement, and nutritional strategies for methane mitigation.

Technologies have been successfully tested in experimental stations and pilot farms across multiple Brazilian biomes (Cerrado, Amazon, Atlantic Forest, and Caatinga), consistently improving productivity, resilience, and environmental performance.

Bioinputs and soil health innovations

The BioAS digital tool to address soil health (already in use through a 33-laboratory commercial network integrated on a digital platform, with a database of 57,000 soil samples from all Brazilian states.)

The Plataforma Saúde do Solo BR (BR Soil Health Platform)—integrating biological, chemical, and physical soil data into publicly accessible interactive maps—will be launched at COP30.

Biomaphos and Auras are commercial products developed via fully controlled biotechnological processes; Biomaphos is available in Brazil and is undergoing licensing abroad. Over the last five years, Biomaphos has been applied to 10+ million hectares, improving fertiliser-use efficiency and raising crop productivity via inoculants.

Hydratus and Azoscoop, other Brazilian bio-innovations, are market-ready.

Digital Innovation

Ongoing research includes cattle monitoring and counting, animal nutrition and health, pasture biomass estimation, degraded-pasture recognition, and pasture-height estimation.

These digital advances underpin initiatives such as Semear Digital and strengthen the program’s technological backbone.

Capacity Strengthening  and Knowledge Exchange

The Agricultural Innovation Marketplace (MKTPlace) enabled 100 Africa–Brazil co-led research projects from 700 submissions, involving 53 institutions in 22 countries, with 28% led by women.

Outputs include 174 technologies/products/services, 96 knowledge items, 1,116 germplasm exchanges, 2,200 experts trained, 106 events, and 129 publications.

Recognised by the UN Office for South–South Cooperation and by the FAO South-South & Triangular Cooperation division, MKTPlace is a global model for technical collaboration.

Scaling plan

• 2025-2027: Establish and validate pilot sites in Brazil and Africa; implementation of the Capacity Strengthening component
• 2027-2030: Expand adoption through regional networks and partnerships.
• Beyond 2030: Institutionalise sustainable practices in national agendas and embed them in global supply chains.

Enablers

Supportive policies; high market demand for sustainable products; Brazil’s established scientific expertise; Projects already underway.

Contact

Alexandre Berndt, Researcher on Sustainable Production Systems, EMBRAPA, alexandre.berndt@embrapa.br, +551634115700/ +5516981812432