From Soil to Summit: Brazil and China join forces in groundbreaking research on soil remineralization

Set against colossal mountains shaped by tectonic forces, the Great Wall of China embodies the persistence and courage of its people. For geologist Suzi Huff Theodoro, it speaks to geological processes and a diversity of rocks. It was a fitting symbol of the deep potential for remineralization, with opportunities continuing to unfold for China and Brazil through scientific collaboration.

A professor of environment and rural development at the University of Brasília, Theodoro recently traveled to China to present research on soil remineralization (rochagem) — taking her nation’s expertise in grinding rocks for agriculture to a country rapidly becoming a global leader in the use of soil remineralizers. Two years ago, the University of Brasília and China Agricultural University signed a cooperation agreement resulting in the Brazil-China Centre.

The agreement supports import and development of agricultural machinery tailored for family farming, promotes joint research and extension activities involving students from both universities and smallholder farmers (especially from the Landless Workers’ Movement), and advances an accelerated composting project. The initiative initially uses Chinese-developed technology to transform organic waste and pruned tree branches into high-quality agricultural input.

In the process, waste enters a closed silo reactor and undergoes aerobic fermentation at high temperatures, accelerated by the addition of microorganisms. This stage lasts seven to twelve days. A similar system is planned for the University of Brasília’s Darcy Ribeiro Campus, where food waste from the university restaurant and trimmed branches will be converted into agricultural input.

The project team aims to combine the benefits of accelerated composting with soil remineralization technology, enriching the compost with mineral-based remineralizers. High temperatures destabilize certain minerals, enhancing weathering once applied to soil. The final product arrives already infused with microorganisms that support the bioweathering of both added and native minerals in the soil.

Currently, Caroline Gomide, a University of Brasília postdoctoral researcher, is conducting initial tests at China Agricultural University’s Institute for Organic Recycling Research in Suzhou.

Throughout her China visit, Theodoro observed a country of striking contrasts and quiet harmony, where centuries-old traditions coexist with innovation. From bustling cityscapes to serene cultural landmarks, she said, each setting revealed thoughtful planning and national pride. What impressed her most was a shared sense of collective purpose, evident in the everyday gestures and ambitions of the people she met.

Impactful tour

During her visit, Theodoro met with farm machinery manufacturers who see business potential in Brazil due to the widespread lack of equipment suited for small-scale farming. Notably, farm plots in China are similarly small, a result of land reforms implemented in the last century. Over the past three decades, China’s technological transformation has driven innovations that make farm work easier and more productive.

According to Theodoro, Chinese firms have developed ingenious machinery for small farms. A consortium of Brazilian states has already acquired some of these machines, now undergoing testing across different agroecosystems. The University of Brasília has also received equipment, currently being adapted and tested at Fazenda Água Limpa. This equipment will eventually support university extension programs and agrarian reform settlements around Brasília.

Following her presentation to graduate students on the principles of soil remineralization, Theodoro was invited by Professor Li Ji, the Chinese scientist who developed the composting reactor, to visit the factory, research farm, and laboratories affiliated with the institute, which he co-directs.

Theodoro said the composting facility was simple, automated and virtually odorless, with compost distributed to nearby farms. At the experimental farm, she observed active field trials and noted the soil’s aeration and biodiversity. Touring the institute’s 12-story laboratory complex, she was struck by the advanced research infrastructure and student support, noting that only Petrobras’s Cenpes research center in Brazil rivals it in scale and technological sophistication.

Diplomatic adventure

Theodoro’s trip coincided with the state visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to China and aligned with the broader BRICS agenda, reflecting Brazil’s cooperation with China on sustainable development.

During the visit, Theodoro and her colleague, Carol Gomide, were invited to join the Brazilian delegation through an existing cooperation agreement between the University of Brasília and China Agricultural University, brokered by Brazil’s Ministry of Agrarian Development. Their participation focused on agreements related to family farming, research collaboration, and sustainable agricultural technologies.

While in Beijing, Theodoro attended the China-Brazil Business Seminar: Strengthening the Strategic Partnership, hosted by ApexBrasil. The event highlighted new bilateral agreements, including R$27 billion (about 4.9 billion US dollars) in Chinese investments across sectors such as automotive, renewable energy, technology, mining, healthcare, logistics and food.

She also had the opportunity to meet former President Dilma Rousseff, who was recently reappointed president of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) with the support of all member countries. In addition, Theodoro attended President Lula’s closing speech, which underscored the strategic importance of Brazil-China cooperation within the BRICS framework.

Profound experience

Theodoro suggested that China’s entire system, from research to business incubation, revealed a powerful model. The government supports science, spawning university-based startups that eventually become independent companies while maintaining research ties and offering opportunities for students. As these ventures succeed, research funding shifts to new priorities. With each wave of patents and products, students can launch additional ventures.

Understanding this process helped Theodoro see how China has achieved such rapid technological leaps over just a few decades. Investment in research and innovation, she said, is the foundation for societal transformation.

She believes Brazil holds enormous potential to undertake a similar journey toward a more developed, technological, and just future. She said Brazil is well-positioned to apply similar strategies — combining science, innovation, and policy — to advance inclusive technological development.

Carter Haydu is a senior content creator for King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. Since 2012, he also has written about the Canadian energy sector for a Calgary-based trade publication. Carter has been a journalist since 2005, with much of his reporting delving into the environmental issues facing upstream oil and gas. He has written for Remineralize the Earth since 2018.