FAMILY FARMING 2.0: Agroecology and sustainable production - Marco Pavarino | FRUTO 2019

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker discusses the significance of family agriculture, agroecology, and sustainable production, drawing on personal experiences from their work with rural settlements in Brazil. The speaker emphasizes the role of family agriculture in sustaining biodiversity, providing organic and traditional products, and its connection to the bio-economy. The presentation covers the challenges of accessing technology, the importance of cultural identity, and the potential for growth in the organic food and renewable energy sectors. Ultimately, it highlights the crucial role of family agriculture in fostering sustainable, community-driven agricultural practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 Family agriculture is a major contributor to food production, accounting for nearly half of the food on our tables in Brazil.
• 😀 Family agriculture in Brazil consists of 4.3 million institutions, making up 85% of rural institutions, though they occupy only 24% of the country's rural land.
• 😀 Despite being the majority, family agriculture represents a much smaller portion (24%) of the country's agricultural land compared to large-scale agribusiness.
• 😀 Family agriculture plays a crucial role in the production of key crops such as cassava (87%), beans (70%), and milk (58%), among others.
• 😀 The smaller-scale, diversified nature of family agriculture promotes agricultural biodiversity and sustainable production practices, contrasting with the industrial model's focus on monoculture and mechanization.
• 😀 Family agriculture often depends on local workforce and resources, which results in lower mechanization and fossil fuel usage, contributing to a more sustainable farming model.
• 😀 The association of family agriculture with sustainability stems from the necessity of working with local limitations and embracing biodiversity and coexistence with the environment.
• 😀 Bio-economy is a key concept for the future of family agriculture, promoting the use of biological resources for sustainable products and processes.
• 😀 Family agriculture has potential in emerging markets like organic production, medicinal plants, and phyto-cosmetics, with over 75% of organic producers in Brazil coming from family farms.
• 😀 Brazil's vast land and biodiversity offer immense potential for family agriculture to integrate with renewable energy solutions like solar power, reducing dependence on non-renewable resources.
• 😀 Social biodiversity, which connects local communities and family agriculture to the production of goods and services, can be enhanced through agroextractivism and eco-tourism, promoting cultural exchange and sustainability.

Q & A

What is family agriculture, and how is it defined in Brazil?

Family agriculture in Brazil refers to rural properties where the family is the predominant workforce and the family itself operates the property. It is defined by four main criteria: the property area cannot exceed 4 fiscal modules, the family must provide the majority of the labor, at least a portion of the income must come from family activities, and the property must be managed by the family.

What percentage of Brazil's rural institutions are classified as family agriculture?

Approximately 85% of Brazil's rural institutions are classified as family agriculture. This means that family agriculture makes up the majority of rural establishments in the country.

How does family agriculture contribute to Brazil's food production?

Family agriculture plays a significant role in Brazil's food production. It is responsible for producing 87% of the country’s cassava, 70% of its beans, and substantial amounts of other crops like maize, coffee, rice, and wheat. It also accounts for 58% of milk and dairy production.

What challenges do family farmers face compared to large-scale agricultural enterprises?

Family farmers often face challenges like limited access to technology, financial resources, and markets. Unlike large-scale agricultural enterprises, they are less able to specialize in single crops and typically operate on smaller plots of land, which limits mechanization but increases diversity in production.

What is the connection between family agriculture and sustainability?

Family agriculture is closely linked to sustainability due to its emphasis on biodiversity, smaller-scale production, and reliance on local knowledge. It typically involves practices that coexist with environmental limitations rather than attempting to eliminate them, promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.

How does Brazil’s land concentration affect family agriculture?

Brazil has a high degree of land concentration, where the 15% of non-family agricultural institutions control 75% of the rural land. This means that although family agriculture constitutes 85% of rural institutions, it only occupies 24% of the country's land, limiting its ability to scale up production.

What is the role of bio-economy in family agriculture?

Bio-economy, which involves using biological resources for economic activities, aligns well with family agriculture due to Brazil’s vast biodiversity. Family farmers can contribute to bio-economy through sustainable production of food, medicinal plants, cosmetics, and renewable energy, integrating natural resources into economic activities.

What is the scope of organic farming in Brazil, and how is it linked to family agriculture?

Organic farming in Brazil covers approximately 750,000 hectares, which is just 0.2% of the country's rural land. However, over 75% of organic production is from family agriculture, reflecting the sector’s growing involvement in the organic food market, which is valued at billions of dollars worldwide.

How is Brazil’s solar energy potential related to family agriculture?

Brazil has vast solar energy potential due to its size and favorable climate, yet many rural institutions, including family farms, lack access to electricity. Family farmers have started using solar and wind energy systems with the support of government programs, helping to provide sustainable energy solutions for rural areas.

What is social biodiversity, and how does it relate to family agriculture?

Social biodiversity refers to the connection between natural resources and the cultural and economic activities of traditional communities, including family agriculture. It highlights the role of family farmers in preserving and enhancing biodiversity through sustainable practices, agro-extractivism, and local knowledge.