China and Brazil will strengthen cooperation in agricultural trade and technology exchange in response to new tariff measures imposed by the United States, Paulo Teixeira, Brazil's Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming, said on Monday.

　　Teixeira said China is the largest buyer of Brazilian agricultural products, with imports reaching $49 billion last year. Meanwhile, Brazil is also a major importer of Chinese agricultural products, as both countries continue to deepen trade and technological cooperation in the sector.

　　Brazil is home to about 5 million smallholder farming families who produce roughly 70 percent of the country's food supply.

　　“While large-scale agriculture in Brazil is highly mechanized and technologically advanced, small-scale farms still face low levels of mechanization,“ Teixeira said.

　　To bridge the gap, Brazil has introduced a series of incentives to attract foreign investment, particularly from China. The measures include tariff exemptions for up to 12 months on capital goods, and information and technology goods, he said.

　　Teixeira added that the Brazilian government also offers special subsidies and low-interest credit support for companies and individuals purchasing small-scale farm machinery.

　　“Chinese agricultural machinery is in high demand in Brazil, with many local farmers now using tractors made in China,“ he said.

　　Agricultural authorities and universities from both countries have been introducing equipment and technology through programs such as the Science and Technology Backyards in Brasilia and Rio Grande do Norte, which were established last year.

　　Field investigations, machinery testing and maintenance, technology promotion and personnel training have taken place in both areas. The efforts are expected to result in a 40 percent increase in grain output among smallholder family farms.