Ethiopia’s Kerchanshe Group and Brazil’s Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) have signed a cooperation agreement to deepen collaboration in agricultural technology, with a strong focus on coffee development and modern production systems.
The agreement was concluded one day after the Ethiopia - Brazil Trade and Investment Forum held in Addis Ababa on February 6, 2026, and is being viewed as an early, concrete step toward translating recent bilateral engagements into operational partnerships.
Under the deal, the two institutions will work jointly on coffee development activities in Debeka, Abaya Woreda, West Guji Zone of Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The cooperation framework includes initiatives on agricultural quality enhancement and control systems, workforce capacity-building, and related technical support aimed at strengthening productivity and standards along the coffee value chain.
State Minister of Agriculture Efa Muleta, speaking at the signing ceremony, said the agreement is expected to contribute to Ethiopia’s broader economic growth agenda. He added that the government will provide close follow up and necessary support to ensure the partnership is implemented effectively and delivers measurable outcomes.
The signing took place in the presence of senior officials and invited guests, including Brazilian 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 strong similarities in agriculture and that the agreement is designed to elevate cooperation, particularly through the transfer of Brazil’s agricultural development experience, coffee-focused innovation, and technology transfer. Organizers noted that Kerchanshe currently exports coffee seedlings to more than 20 countries, reflecting Ethiopia’s growing reach in global coffee value chains.
Embrapa, a research institution under Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, is widely recognized for science-driven innovation in tropical agriculture, including plant genetic improvement, soil-plant systems, bio-inputs, and climate-smart practices. Through its international cooperation work, it has expanded partnerships across Africa and Latin America to support knowledge exchange and technical capacity-building.
Stakeholders at the event said the agreement is expected to function not only as a business collaboration, but also as a strategic bridge for long-term research and innovation in coffee, Ethiopia’s flagship export, aimed at improving quality, competitiveness, and value addition in international markets.
Source (including image): Fana BC
