Location: BRAZIL
In a country known for its dominant role in global animal agriculture, a new movement is taking shape to redefine the future of food. With the support of The Pollination Project, Cell Ag Brazil, the Brazilian Cellular Agriculture Society, was founded in late 2023 to promote the development and adoption of cultivated food technologies. Led by Professors Carla Forte Maiolino Molento and Rodrigo Luiz Morais-da-Silva, this pioneering initiative seeks to accelerate Brazil’s transition toward more ethical, sustainable food systems by uniting scientists, businesses, and advocates around the promise of cellular agriculture.
The Project
In late 2023, Brazil took a meaningful step toward the future of food with the founding of Cell Ag Brazil, the Brazilian Cellular Agriculture Society. Spearheaded by academics Professor Carla Forte Maiolino Molento and Professor Rodrigo Luiz Morais-da-Silva, the association aims to transform food production in one of the world’s leading animal agriculture countries. With the mission of promoting the development, production, and commercialization of food through cellular cultivation, Cell Ag Brazil seeks to unify efforts across academia, industry, and civil society to accelerate the shift toward more ethical and sustainable food systems, ones that do not rely on the slaughter of animals. By fostering collaboration across sectors, the organization is building a strong foundation for a future in which animal-free food options are both viable and accessible.
The Impact of the Seed Grant
The Pollination Project played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life. With no external institutional funding to avoid conflicts of interest, Carla and Rodrigo faced the challenge of launching a national organization from scratch. The TPP grant provided the essential resources needed to cover legal fees, accounting services, public registration costs, branding, and outreach materials. This support enabled the successful legal registration of Cell Ag Brazil on November 17, 2023.
The measurable outcomes are already significant: the association now has 12 founding members who have dedicated approximately 360 hours of volunteer work, and its structure, divided into three chambers representing academia, the private sector, and civil society, invites broad and inclusive participation. The effectiveness of the grant is underscored by the speed and efficiency of execution: from concept to legal foundation in just a few months, backed by a growing network of collaborators and supporters.
The Future
As the next chapter begins, Cell Ag Brazil’s impact is poised to grow exponentially. The potential long-term benefits of cellular agriculture in Brazil are staggering. In 2022 alone, the country slaughtered approximately 6.1 billion chickens, 56.5 million pigs, and 30 million cattle, according to IBGE. By promoting viable alternatives to conventional meat, Cell Ag Brazil aims to reduce the suffering of billions of animals over time. On the human side, the initiative has the capacity to influence millions of people involved in animal agriculture, food production, and animal protection, while empowering consumers with new, ethical food choices. With upcoming plans such as hosting the first national Cell Ag Brazil Meeting in Curitiba, participating in global networks like the Cellular Agriculture Network (CAN), and engaging policymakers across Latin America, the organization is well-positioned to be a catalyst for change in the region.
A seed is something so small and can go even unnoticed. But without seeds there are no trees.
Carla Forte Maiolino Molento
Carla Forte Maiolino Molento is a professor at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), where she coordinates both the Animal Welfare Laboratory (LABEA/UFPR) and the Cellular Animal Science Laboratory (Zoocel/UFPR). She holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine and a master’s in Veterinary Sciences from UFPR, a PhD in Animal Science from McGill University in Canada, and a postdoctoral specialization in animal welfare from ILVO in Belgium. A CNPq Research Productivity fellow (Level II), Carla teaches Ethology, Animal Welfare, and Cellular Animal Science at the undergraduate level and supervises research at all academic levels through UFPR’s graduate program in Veterinary Sciences. With a career dedicated to improving animal welfare in production, companion, and laboratory settings, her recent focus has turned to Cellular Agriculture, developing and promoting alternatives to animal use in food production. She also leads the Alternative Protein Innovation Network, funded by Fundação Araucária, coordinates a national research project supported by FINEP, and serves as president of Cell Ag Brazil.
Rodrigo Luiz Morais-da-Silva
Rodrigo Luiz Morais-da-Silva is an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), where he coordinates the Innovation and Technology track in the Graduate Program in Administration. He also leads the MBA in Strategic Cooperative Management and is vice-leader of the EGITS research group on innovation and sustainability. Rodrigo holds a PhD and Master’s in Administration from UFPR, with part of his doctoral studies completed at the University of Exeter (UK). His research focuses on social innovation, sustainability, and alternative proteins. He is co-founder and vice president of Cell Ag Brazil.
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