By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media
In an advance for Latin America’s digital agriculture landscape, Agrolend, a Brazilian farming fintech, has expanded its Series C funding round to $56 million. The latest capital injection arrived through the strategic entry of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the shareholder lineup, contributing $3 million. This fundraising demonstrates confidence in agtech and marks a return to the region by JICA, backed by Japan’s government, to the vibrant Brazilian agricultural landscape.
Japan anticipates this financial infusion will bolster stable food procurement for the island nation, a country heavily reliant on the South American agriculture for crucial imports like soybeans and corn. Beyond this, the capital directly supports Agrolend in its core mission to extend critical financing to small and medium-sized farmers, who are pivotal in feeding billions globally.
Brazil’s small and mid-sized farms represent over 70 percent of the nation’s total agricultural operations, and challenges around financing have often thwarted growth. By embracing technology, Agrolend has streamlined the typically onerous process of vetting loan applications. The company has empowered growers needing funds for crucial inputs like seeds and fertilizers to apply for credit via popular platforms such as WhatsApp, facilitating speedy access to much-needed capital. Over the past five years, Agrolend has reportedly delivered financial services to approximately 2,700 farmers across Brazil.
JICA’s participation brings the organization full circle in the region. Decades ago, the agency played a transformative role in overhauling Brazil’s vast Cerrado region. This tropical savanna, once largely deemed unsuitable for farming due to its highly acidic soil, was revitalized through JICA’s collaboration with local ag research firm Embrapa. JICA supplied essential financial aid while also lending its expertise to turn barren expanses into productive agricultural ground.
In its latest strategic commitment to Brazilian agriculture, JICA is championing technological innovation as a prime catalyst for both social benefit and environmental stewardship. The connection between JICA and Agrolend was fostered through Francisco Jardim, managing partner at SP Ventures, an early supporter of Agrolend. Key figures also involved in bringing the partnership to fruition included Agrolend Co-Founder Alan Glezer, Aryeverton Fortes of Embrapa and JICA’s Akihiro Miyazaki. Below is a snapshot of the signing ceremony in the Brazilian city of city of São Paulo.
Beyond its immediate financial contribution, JICA’s involvement is also poised to deliver substantial strategic value. Its entry is expected to create new funding avenues and forge key industry connections with influential institutions such as Sicredi, BTG Pactual and Amaggi, relationships that have the influence to broaden Agrolend’s impact across Brazil’s sprawling ag territories. Agrolend’s model, which delivers streamlined digital credit, solves a challenge for small and mid-sized farmers who frequently struggle to access traditional financing.
While Brazil’s wider economy expanded by a modest 1.4% in Q1 2025, its agriculture and livestock sector, went its own way, posting impressive 12% growth. This performance illustrates how Brazilian agribusiness operates separately from the nation’s economy as a whole, operating as an export-driven and resilient segment that increasingly embraces technology. Brazilian agriculture notably remains insulated from currency volatility, playing a crucial role in maintaining the country’s trade surplus.
JICA’s Akihiro Miyazaki highlighted during the ceremony: “We are not only concerned with agriculture. We care about the social outcomes that companies can drive in developing countries.”
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