#USA #New York #Sumitomo Corporation #Papalotla #Climate-Smart

Sumitomo Corporation and Grupo Papalotla's Strategic Partnership

In a significant development for the agricultural sector, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) has joined forces with Grupo Papalotla to accelerate the global adoption of climate-smart livestock solutions. Announced on July 29, 2025, this partnership marks a pivotal moment in addressing the challenges posed by climate change in agriculture, particularly in livestock production.

Investment Focus on Hybrid Pasture Innovations

The strategic collaboration kicks off with an investment from SCOA that is geared towards enhancing Grupo Papalotla's operations, particularly its Brazilian branch, Tropical Seeds do Brasil. Known for its innovative hybrid pasture seed varieties, Papalotla has carved a niche for itself since its inception in 1992, holding an exclusive license with the Colombian research institute CIAT to develop seeds with functional traits, such as drought and flood tolerance. This investment is set to bolster their seed selection and multiplication processes, thereby improving germination rates and nutrient performance.

The Need for Climate-Smart Solutions

As the second-largest cattle producer globally, Brazil's livestock farming largely relies on pasture. Approximately 90% of beef production is pasture-based, utilizing around 160 million hectares of grazing land. The Brazilian government has set ambitious goals to restore 30 to 40 million hectares of degraded pasture by 2030, aiming to enhance productivity without further expanding pastureland. This creates a promising avenue for hybrid pasture seeds, as they can significantly boost both quality and resilience in grazing systems.

Ryosuke Yanagi, Director and Head of the Agrifood Innovation Department at Sumitomo Corporation do Brasil, elaborated on this initiative, stating, "This initiative is the result of our continuous efforts to source high-performance livestock inputs that support greenhouse gas reduction and improve animal productivity. Our engagement with Papalotla began in 2023, and this investment aims to reinforce our collaboration with AAPA."

Sumitomo's goals include offering support services to contract farmers, encouraging the use of advanced agricultural inputs, rehabilitating degraded pasturelands, and transitioning towards more sustainable livestock production methods.

Advancing Sustainable Practices

This alliance represents a critical step for Grupo Papalotla, expanding its market access and strengthening sustainable livestock practices. Andrei Nicolayevsky, CEO of Grupo Papalotla, expressed optimism about the partnership's potential, saying, "This investment validates our tropical pasture technologies and strengthens our vision to transform livestock systems through innovation and sustainability. Together, we will address food demand challenges while promoting soil regeneration and emission reductions."

The partnership promises to enhance the deployment of Brachiaria hybrids and integrated pasture systems, which include key initiatives:

• - Expanding access to small and medium livestock producers,
• - Reaching tropical and subtropical markets, including Latin America, Africa, and Asia,
• - Leading in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices aimed at supporting sustainable beef and dairy production.

With over 25 years of experience in improving agricultural productivity and sustainability, Grupo Papalotla's scientifically-backed approach has shown that their tropical forage hybrids can yield up to four times more biomass than conventional pastures, leading to better animal performance while also restoring environmentally degraded lands and cutting down greenhouse gas emissions.

Conclusion

This strategic partnership between Sumitomo Corporation of Americas and Grupo Papalotla not only emphasizes a commitment to environmental stewardship but also portrays a forward-thinking approach in the agriculture sector that serves both economic and ecological interests. As the pressures of climate change mount, such collaborations will be essential in ensuring livestock producers can adapt and thrive in a more sustainable manner. For further details on Grupo Papalotla's innovative offerings, visit www.grupopapalotla.com

For more information about Sumitomo Corporation, check their website at www.sumitomocorp.com.