The Agriculture in Brazil

Brazil plays a key role in the global food system, but mainly exports agricultural products, which negatively impacts food sovereignty. 58 % of the population faces food insecurity, and 15.5 % suffer from hunger. Currently, Brazil struggles with the conflict between export-oriented agriculture and the local aim for agroecology. Trough instruments like the CONSEA Food Council, the right to food is being promoted. Projects in Northeast Brazil aim to promote sustainable, participatory food systems.

The Project

The project tackles food sovereignty in Brazil’s semi-arid Northeast through participatory governance and agroecological transformation. It strengthens the capacities of key actors, including family farmers, indigenous communities, and civil society, to improve local food systems. Focus areas include policy dialogue, agroecological innovation, and gender-sensitive advocacy. The approach fosters inclusive cooperation between civil society, government and economy in Brazil and Germany. As target groups, women and youth are particularly prioritized.

Project Goals

• Monitoring and analysis of public policies to generate data on sustainable agricultural practices
• Strengthening multi-actor dialogue spaces at municipal and state levels
• Dissemination of best practices on innovative measures for sustainable agricultural practices and food and nutrition sovereignty
• Implementation of an advocacy strategy to promote sustainable agricultural practices, climate innovation, and biodiversity protection and to address territorial conflicts
• Strengthening management processes of the project, monitoring, financial control and compliance

Results and Successes

As an example of a our work in Brazil’s Northeast where we aim to promote sustainable, participatory food systems is that the Federal Food Acquisition Program has purchased 3 tons of seeds of local bean varieties from 14 families to strengthen the stocks of 40 community seed banks in the region. Our project aims to further extend these achievements.
The project develops a collective methodology for case studies and territorial monitoring as a basis to promote agroecology. It establishes observatories, conducts workshops, and promotes multi-actor dialogue. It strengthens monitoring through training, supports knowledge exchanges, and advances policy advocacy at all levels. Communication strategies, including gender-sensitive materials, boost knowledge dissemination.

Project Partners and Cooperations

• National Council for Food and Nutrition Security (CONSEA)
• National Commission of Agroecology and Organic Production (CNAPO)
• Agricultural Policy and Information Directorate of the National Food Supply Company (CONAB)
• Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Network of North Eastern Brazil (Rede ATER Nordeste de Agroecologia)
• Organisations of family farmers and traditional communities (Polo da Borborema in Paraíba)

Implementing Organisation

• Brot für die Welt - Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V.
• Assessoria e Serviços a Projetos em Agricultura Alternativa – AS-PTA

Links:

• AS-PTA
• ATER
• Contact: denis.monteiro@aspta.org.br

Released 12. Dec 2024 as text

Address

Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V., Brot fuer die Welt



Caixa Postal 33
58135-000 Esperança – Paraíba
Brasil

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