This image is AI-generated and does not depict any real-life event or location. It is a fictional representation created for illustrative purposes only. Brazil is on the brink of a green revolution as Embrapa, the nation’s renowned agricultural research agency, sets its sights on cannabis cultivation. Known for transforming Brazil into a leading grains exporter, Embrapa is preparing a 12-year research program that includes creating a cannabis seed bank and adapting strains to Brazil’s unique climate.
Daniela Bittencourt, a key researcher at Embrapa, envisions a scenario akin to the cotton genetic improvements of the past 50 years. With ten domestic and international companies already in talks for partnerships, Embrapa aims to explore cannabis applications from medicine to food, and even soil carbon fixation.
A recent higher court ruling legalized hemp cultivation for medicinal purposes, offering a promising avenue for Embrapa to work alongside health agency Anvisa. While recreational sales remain illegal, this decision paves the way for Brazil to emerge as a key player in the hemp industry, particularly for medicinal and industrial applications.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Brazil’s Green Revolution: Cannabis Cultivation Breakthrough
