Sustainable agriculture for small farming families

The Sustainable Agriculture Project has been through important changes during this time, turning the activities very intense this trimester.

In this trimester, we set a time for the planning of our next actions, which include the management of an area planted 5 years ago which follows the model of Agroforestry- and visits to well-established local sustainable farmers.

The participation in community-work in local rural properties was also included in the planning, as well as the restoration of a previous pasture, and finally a meeting with farmers of the region to promote Iracambi's sustainable agriculture program and to exchange knowledge and ideas.

The activities planned which have already been started includes a walk to potential areas of new field experiments with agroecology in the property of the NGO, as well as the realization of a group-work in the area of test called AREA2, which was a previous pasture that it is now in the process of restoration, specially to contribute to the riparian forest which is located right beside. We chose crops that require minimum maintenance so we can better exemplify the reality of the local farmers of this region.

Another crucial action of this project is to compose and become part of groups of farmers to exchange field experiences. Last month, we started to participate in the Network of Farmers of the Federal Institute of Muriaé (IF-Sofocó). They give free agroecology lessons to the members. The entire staff participated in one of their courses and learned immensely with the class "Soil components and its utilisation on agro-ecological agriculture.", which was extremely an useful knowledge for the NGO for the areas in which we want to restore as for our work in the reforestation nursery.

We still have a long way ahead of us and we count with your donations to keep working with the Planet Earth in search for solutions for food production that respects the environment, with forests that provide a dignified life for wildlife and human beings.

Links:

• Project Page

Agroecology at Iracambi  

This exciting project at Iracambi combines three things: producing seeds for green manure, cultivating and selling organic fruits and vegetables, and creating a line of natural cosmetics.  As an added bonus, we’re reforesting stream banks with trees native to the Atlantic Forest in an area that was formerly degraded pasture.  And we’re managing the whole system sustainably.

And the result? Producing natural cosmetics and organic foodstuff with the least possible impact on the environment. Creating and sharing a sustainable model that will generate income for rural communities. Giving field days and writing academic papers in order to share our experiences with the wider public.  

The background  

The current model of conventional agriculture has not served the rural community well – either economically or environmentally. This is evidenced by degraded lands, stressed water resources, and the rural exodus.  Family agriculture urgently needs to develop alternative models that enable rural families to remain on the land and care for the environment.

History of the area

Our agroecology plot was formerly a cattle pasture. Sugar cane had also been planted for the cattle, and the areas bordering the river have occasionally been flooded – although rarely. The area is 2.5 acres.

Development of the project

The Agroecology plot has been in existence for three months.

• While the trees are growing, we have interplanted maize, manioc, and leguminous species for green manure, in order to increase soil fertility and produce seeds.
• Simultaneously we are developing our range of natural cosmetics, and are currently testing a range of soaps.
• We’ve strengthened our ties with the Natural Plants Working Group of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil’s premier research center. We are also developing partnerships with universities and technical institutes to work together on techniques of agroecological production.  
• The next stage will be to hold field days to work with local producers on best practice organic food production and creating natural cosmetics using low impact techniques that provide an economic return for low income rural families

Your part in this!  

With your help we’re raising rural living standards and helping smallholder farm families live better and more healthily than they do under conventional agricultural systems. Producing organic food and natural cosmetics is good for people, and good for the land. It’s a way of transforming lives.  Thank you for being a part of it!