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From Alternative Agriculture to the Brazilian Policy
for Agroecology
Prof. Irene Maria Cardoso
irene@ufv.br
centro de
tecnologias
alternativas
ZONA DA MATA
Center for Alternative Technologies of Zona da Mata
Federal University of Viçosa
Soil Science Department
Brazilian Association for Agroecology
1. Agroecology as a movement, practice and science.
2. Experiences of agroecology in the Zona da Mata.
3. Brazilian policy for agroecology and organic production.
4. Can agroecology feed the world? Are we asking the correct question?
5. The Netherlands is part of our problem. Is it part of our solution?
Introduction
Soybean production in the CerradoAgroecological production in Atlantic Forest
1.1. Agroecology is a movement
 In Brazil, in the end of 70´s and 80´s agroecology started as
alternative agriculture.
 Alternative agriculture as a response to the environmental and
social problems created by the Green Revolution technologies
applied to agriculture.
 Main actors:
a) agronomists (linked to the Federation of the Agronomist
Associations and the Federation of the Students of Agronomy,
still very active);
1. Agroecology as movement, practice and science
b) NGOs and farmer organizations (supported by the Liberation
Theology – Grassroot Eclesial Communities – CEBs, linked mainly to
the Catholic Church).
Linked to the left-wing parties – especially the Labor Party
(founded in 1980).
c) These NGOs formed the network called Rede PTA – Projects for
Alternative Technologies. The network finished in the end of the 90´s.
 2002. The ex-Rede PTA and the social movement, founded the
National Articulation of Agroecology (ANA
www.agroecologia.org.br) – a network especially among NGOs,
social movements, and also scientists.
 It shows that, in Brazil, agroecology started as a movement!
 But this movement had and has the farmers and their
organizations as partners.
 It means that the movement has its roots in practical
experiences. In Brazil agroecology is developed with the
farmers!
II National Meeting of Agroecology – 2006
III National Meeting of Agroecology in prep. – 2014. Probably in São Paulo.
1.2. Agroecology is a practice
 To manage biodiversity and to develop complex
agroecosystems we need farmer´s knowledge
 For agroecology:
- A participatory approach is essential.
- On-farm experiments are very important.
- To respect and to value farmer´s knowledge is imperative!
(This is very important to raise the farmer´s self esteem)
www.agroecologiaemrede.org.br: 709 experiences are registered.
We have practical experiences in all Brazilian biomes
 From the Zona da Mata, 21 experiences are registered in that
website, but we have several hundreds!
It is a practice!
Santa Fé Farm: our
slogan is
agroecology!
 These experiences and the movement that started in the 80´s,
as alternative agriculture are the basis of the national policy
that we are formulating now.
 Some of these experiences have been developed by CTA in
partnership with the farmers organizations and staff of the
Federal University of Viçosa. CTA was part of the Rede-PTA and
is very active in ANA.
1.3. Agroecology is ALSO a science
 Agroecology is shortly defined as the science to study, design and
manage agroecosystems.
- Consumers are also included. Nowadays, the definition of
agroecology is towards a larger focus on the entire food system,
defined as a global network of food production, distribution and
consumption (Gliessman, 2007).
- However, agroecology does not study only food systems, but also
the production of energy, wood and fibers. BUT food comes first!
- Moreover, there are boundaries among agroecosystems and among
agroecosystems and the natural ecosystems.
 2004. On the scientific side, the Brazilian Association of
Agroecology (ABA) was created (http://www.aba-agroecologia.org.br). ABA
is part of ANA
 In 2006, agroecology was officially recognized as a science by
EMBRAPA - the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. The
referential benchmark for agroecology was published:
(http://www.embrapa.br/publicacoes).
 Recently, several technical, undergraduate and graduate courses
on agroecology started in several universities, theses have been
developed, papers published…
 Therefore, in Brasil, agroecology is a movement, a practice and a
science.
 This is supported by Wezel et al., 2009. Agron. Sustain. Dev.
(available on line).
2. Some of the experiences in the Zona da Mata
Foto: CTA
Atlantic Rainforest Biome
The atlantic rainforest ranks among the top five biodiversity hotspots
(Myers et al. 2000).
• Nowadays: around 7% of it remains.
• One of the reasons: agriculture
Why to use
monoculture
in such a
biodiverse
biome?
Main land use: full-sun coffee and pasture in monoculture.
Managed mainly by family farmers.
forest fragments…
Coffee
pastures
forest fragments…
Following the agroecological principles, CTA in partnership with
UFV and small farmers organizations in Zona da Mata,
developed agroforestry systems, using a participatory approach.
 1993 - a Participatory Rural Apraisal (PRA) process was
undertaken in Araponga (municipality of Zona da Mata).
 One of the biggest problems pointed out by the farmers was the
loss of soil quality – “enfraquecimento das terras”.
Agroforestry Systems
 The farmers prioritized land use problems and selected a
committee called “terra forte” (strong land) composed of farmers,
staff of the NGO and the Soil Department/UFV to present some
land conservation proposals to overcome the problem.
Foto: arquivos do CTA
 The committee suggested several practices.
- Most of them common to the farmers:
Ex.: green manure; management of spontaneous
vegetation.
- One not common to the farmers: agroforesty systems
Around 40 experiences (~40 family farmers), in 11 municipalities
(Cardoso et al., 2001 – Agricultural Systems, 69: 235-257)
Agroforestry in Zona da Mata started in 1994
Why are trees so important?
- Better use of the environment: above and below ground
coffee
Increase mycorrhizal network in
deeper layer of the soil
Some trees are leguminosae:
rhizobium symbiosis
- Attract more associated biodiversity: birds, bees etc.
Associated biodiversity is responsible for many ecosystem services
Why are trees so important?
Photo:ArneJanssen
 In the green revolution type of agriculture, the ecosystem
services (nutrient cycling, pest controls, soil structure etc.)
were replaced by chemical fertilizers, tillage and pesticides.
 The replacement of the environmental services by chemicals is
key to understanding why agriculture, instead of benefiting,
harms biodiversity.
 You can decide to be dependent on the biodiversity or on the
industries that produce the external inputs (such as chemicals
and pesticides).
Coffee under Inga
Full sun coffee
We collected 287 arthropods feeding on
extrafloral nectaries of Inga trees. Almost 80%
of the visitors were natural enemies.
Among them, seven different species of
parasites of the coffee leafminer.
Rezende et al., in prep.
Extrafloral nectaries: small pots of
nectar in the petioles
A thrips species was found
visiting extrafloral nectaries. The
thrips was also observed feeding
on coffee berry borers. This was
never reported before.
Inga leaves
From 2003 to 2005, CTA, farmers and the Soil Department
systematized the experience with the agroforestry systems, using a
participatory approach (Souza et al., 2012 - Agroforestry Systems 85: 247-
262).
.
- Farmers were visited and interviewed and
we organized several meetings with the
farmers
Meeting at CTA
Meeting in the community
Meeting at the University
Interview
Pasture with trees
During the systematization, we concentrated on agroforestry coffee
systems. But we also have experiences with pasture and trees.
 A diversified tree stratum
(native trees and fruit
trees);
 A bush stratum (coffee and
others – fruit trees);
 A herbaceous stratum,
(leguminosae, spontaneous
vegetation, edible plants
etc).
Agroforestry coffee systems
The farmers pointed out the criteria to selected the trees to
intercrop with coffee
Souza et al., 2010. Agroforestry Systems 80: 1-16
(sampling root of S. macranthera for
Loes Mertens, to screen for mycorrhiza)
How to avoid competition for water and nutrients?
Rhizosphere: fine roots of coffee concentrated in the top 20 cm of
the soil; fine roots of Senna macranthera found below 40 cm.
60 cm
S. macranthera
How to avoid competition for light without
pruning?
Coffee is from deciduous forest in
Ethiopia. Coffee needs more light exactly
when the trees loose their leaves.
We are in a region of semi-evergreen
forest.
It means that some of our trees loose their
leaves in the dry season, exactly when
coffee needs more light. Thus, no need for
pruning the crown of those trees – it means
less labour.
With full sun coffee we are not benefing
from the characteristics of our native trees
and coffee plants.Aegiphila sellowiana:
deciduous species from the
Atlantic Forest
The farmers pointed out 85 tree species compatible with coffee,
which can be used in the agroforestry systems. Among them, Senna
macranthera and Inga subnuda (Souza et al. 2010, Agroforestry Systems
80: 1-16).
Degraded land...
Some results
… changed into this lush vegetation in 15 years.
Diversification of the
production
Papaya
For the family!
Banana
For the animals...
Avocado
Coffee
60 products + coffee
Products bought by the family
Breakfeast
Lunch
Food security and sovereignty
Photo: Jaap Meijering
Photo: Jaap Meijering
Almost all food is produced
at the farm
For the wild animals...
Eaten papaya
Eaten avocado
And also for Dutch...
Water
Wood: due to the management:
fire wood, small constructions, fences...
Low branch was cut to
allow more light and air
into the pasture
Healthy and nice environment for the family!
Healthy child: the best indicator
of life quality!
More associated biodiversity
Coffee plant
1000 avocado plants
300 boxes: US$ 600,00
180 boxes
of banana/month
US$ 360,00
And coffee...
Coffee...
Solanum argenteum
Souza et al., 2010
Which system produces more food? Agroforestry or full sun coffee?
And more profit? On average less coffee, but...
D
D
Pollinization
Floristic studies
Soil quality
ErosionNutrient cycling
Since the beginning these COMPLEX systems have been studied,
nowadays more intensely.
We studied senescent materials of some species. Inga subnuda and
Senna macranthera had the highest content of nutrients. However,
Inga produced more recalcitrant litter (highest (LG+PP)/N and LG/N
ratios). Therefore, lower decomposition rate (Duarte et al., in press).
Senna macranthera flowering
The residues of Senna release the nutrients
faster than those of Inga.
Inga gives more soil protection than Senna.
Residues of Inga subnuda
Therefore, to profit from Inga and Senna, we have to have both in
the systems: biodiversity! BUT Inga and Senna are only two of the
85!
Mix of leaves and fruits of Inga and Senna in agroforestry coffee systems
Fruit of SennaFruit of Inga
We do our best to study and to scale up the systems
together with the family farmers and their organizations!
We are following, with adapation, the methodology called
peasant to peasant (Rosset et al., 2011), we promote meetings
with the farmers on their properties, to observe and analyse their
ecosystems.
Besides the family farmers, students, researchers, agronomists,
professors attend these meetings
 In these meetings,
everybody learns.
 From these meetings
arises the demands of
the farmers and
questions of the
researchers;
 We also answers
research questions.
The farmers also go to the University
Once per year we have a regional meeting with farmers at the
University. More than 200 farmers attend these meetings.
If everything is so nice, why don’t we have more farmers involved?
 To scale up these experiences is the main challenge nowadays
(De Schutter, 2011 - Report submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the right
to food, United Nations).
 For that, appropriate public policies are necessary. The policies
can create an enabling environment for such sustainable modes
of production (De Schutter, 2011).
What is happening in this respect in Brazil?
 In 2011, during the discussion of the New Forest Code the
Environmental Ministry and ANA (National Articulation for
Agroecology) started talking about the national policy for
agroecology.
3. Brazilian policy for agroecology and organic production
 2012. The Marcha das Margaridas (The Peasant Women
demonstration in Brasília) asked Dilma (our presidenta) to launch
the national policy for agroecology – she agreed.
Foto usada em cartaz da Contag. Cedido por Sara Pimenta
We solve political problems
with a political decision, not
with a technical or with a
scientific solution.
DILMA (our presidenta) talking to the women!
Foto: arquivos da Contag. Cedido por Sara Pimenta
Foto: arquivos da Contag. Cedido por Sara Pimenta
Because of the experiences all around Brazil, ANA was invited to give
inputs to the national policy for agroecology and organic production.
For ANA to give their inputs, the environmental ministry supported:
Five regional meetings – according to our main biomes – and a
national meeting.
 More than 300 people participated in the six
meetings. These people were representative
of the social movement (Landless, Unions,
Women, ABA, ANA etc).
 A document was produced.
 A seminar was organized to deliver and to
discuss the document with the government.
The government elaborated a first draft
of the policy.
Another seminar was organized to
discuss the draft.
August 2012: the policy was launched.
One good point: recognize and support
the use of landrace seeds.
Two bad points: disconsider the land
concentration and water controls
problems.
“The only thing that I want is a small piece of land to produce food! I am crazy about having
a small piece of land” (coffee sharecropper from Araponga - Brazil
(IBGE, 2006)
Total of farms: 4367902 Total Area
Family Farmers
Other farmers
Family
Farmers
Other farmers
Family agriculture receives only 25% of the credits,
produces 70% of our food!
Family Agriculture x Industrial Agriculture in Brazil
With the policy, the way was paved, but the process did not stop.
Only the law is no garantee for actions and money.
The policy has to be followed by a national plan for agroecology
and organic production.
 To formulate the plan
two comittees were
created.
a) Comittee formed by the
government staff:
Four ministries are
involved (to elaborate
the plan).
b) Comittee formed by the civil society:
26 participants from 23 organizations, among them Landless, Rural
Unions, Women movement, ABA, ANA...) - to evaluate and give
inputs to the plan.
- We are working on the plan now; we hope to launch it in April.
This is the first time that
the social movements are
getting together to
formulate an agro-
ecological policy.
This is already considered
a good result of the
policy.
Foto: secretaria da presidência
 Remember: from 30-50% of the produced food is lost (Institution of
Mechanical Engineers, UK).
 Remember: a food system is defined as a global network of food
production, distribution and consumption (Gliessman, 2007).
 I will quickly give you an example to illustrate why I think we are
not asking the right question
4. Can agroecology feed the world? Are we asking the correct
question?
Amazon
Atlantic Forest
Cerrado
Cerrado
14th hotspot of biodiversity (Myers et al., 2000).
A biodiverse savanna ecoregion (Brannstrom et al., 2008).
 The size of Spain,
France, Germany, Italy
and UK together (WWF,
2012).
 This biome is in rapid
decline because of the
expansion of modern
agriculture (Brannstrom et
al., 2008).
 Since 1950, 40% of the cerrado was converted to agriculture
(WWF, 2012).
Maize (24%)
Soybeans (35%)
Sugar-cane (12%)
Others (13%)
IBGE (2007)
Monoculture
Monoculture
Cultivated area - BRAZIL
82% of the soybeans is produced in Mato Grosso, Goiás (both
cerrado), Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul (both Atlantic Forest).
Most soybeans are exported.
 Most soybeans are genetically modified (GMO).
 Soybeans account for 45% of the pesticide consumption.
Via Campesina campaign against the
use of pesticides in Brazil
On average we consume around 5
litres of pesticides per year per
person.
Lucas do Rio Verde is a municipality
in Mato Grosso, where the main
acitivity is agriculture, especially
soybeans. Mothers‘ milk is
contaminated with pesticides
Pesticide kills
Until when will we swallow this?
 The Netherlands
is our second
importer of
soybeans (46%).
Mainly for food
for the animals.
 To produce soybeans, we need fertilizer. Brazil imports around
70% of N and 50% of P. More than 90% of the K. Is our agriculture
sustainable? Is the Dutch agriculture sustainable?
 Some scientists are arguing that the source of P will finish in 50-
100 years (Cordell et al., 2009: Global Environmental Change 19: 292–305).
Our main source of P is Maroc.
5.1. The Netherland is part of our problem
Also for cows – picture from The Netherlands – Jan 2013
Photo: Ana Paula CamposPhoto: Ana Paula Campos
Thus:
Maroc  Brazil  The Netherlands
P Soybeans
Who is feeding whom? Is Maroc feeding Brasil or The Netherlands?
Feed animals, including cows
Soybeans
Produce cheese
 In our supermaket, the Dutch cheese is 20 reals less expensive
than the same type of cheese from Brasil.
 The farmers of Minas Gerais can not sell their cheese: produced
with unpasteurized milk (as in France...)
 Are we really worried about feeding the world????
Is it a matter of production to feed the world or to feed the food
empire?
Who has to feed whom?
Is it a task of The Netherlands to feed the world? (Such a small
country!)
Is it a task of Brazil to feed the world? (Such a big country!)
How about food security and sovereignty? Is it not better to work for
each country to feed itself?
Family Agriculture produces 70% of the food that reaches the
Brazilian tables!
If it is a matter of food security and food sovereignty, should we
Brazilians invest in soybeans to export?
(IBGE, 2006)
5.2. Can The Netherlands be part of our solution?
 China (18%) is the first importer of Brazilian agricultural
products.
 The Netherlands is second (6,3%).
 Together with Belgium, it imports more than 80% of
our orange juice (produced in the Atlantic forest
biome)
 Important importer of our coffee (Atlantic forest
biome)
Conclusion: you Dutch are eating our cerrado and drinking our Atlantic
Forest!
How do you want to be part of our solution?
 Dutch organizations comprimised themselves to invest € 7 millions
to garantee that 100% of soy used in the food production in The
Netherlands will be produced in a responsible way by 2015 (WWF,
2012).
 What is a responsible way????
I also believe in Sinterklaas!
http://www.responsiblesoy.org/
Birds do not use any protective equipment!
You cannot solve the problem with the same kind of thinking
that created the problem
Albert Einstein
I would like to ask the Dutch Scientists of Wageningen University:
Please, reformulate your questions!
Is it really a matter of feeding the world?
Bedankt
Thank you!
Obrigada!
“For agroecology we need wisdom to work and patience to wait...”
Dadinho (agroecological farmer – Pedra Dourada – Minas Gerais).
Farmer´s
Organizations

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Agroecology-irene-cardozo

  • 1. From Alternative Agriculture to the Brazilian Policy for Agroecology Prof. Irene Maria Cardoso irene@ufv.br centro de tecnologias alternativas ZONA DA MATA Center for Alternative Technologies of Zona da Mata Federal University of Viçosa Soil Science Department Brazilian Association for Agroecology
  • 2. 1. Agroecology as a movement, practice and science. 2. Experiences of agroecology in the Zona da Mata. 3. Brazilian policy for agroecology and organic production. 4. Can agroecology feed the world? Are we asking the correct question? 5. The Netherlands is part of our problem. Is it part of our solution? Introduction Soybean production in the CerradoAgroecological production in Atlantic Forest
  • 3. 1.1. Agroecology is a movement  In Brazil, in the end of 70´s and 80´s agroecology started as alternative agriculture.  Alternative agriculture as a response to the environmental and social problems created by the Green Revolution technologies applied to agriculture.  Main actors: a) agronomists (linked to the Federation of the Agronomist Associations and the Federation of the Students of Agronomy, still very active); 1. Agroecology as movement, practice and science
  • 4. b) NGOs and farmer organizations (supported by the Liberation Theology – Grassroot Eclesial Communities – CEBs, linked mainly to the Catholic Church). Linked to the left-wing parties – especially the Labor Party (founded in 1980). c) These NGOs formed the network called Rede PTA – Projects for Alternative Technologies. The network finished in the end of the 90´s.  2002. The ex-Rede PTA and the social movement, founded the National Articulation of Agroecology (ANA www.agroecologia.org.br) – a network especially among NGOs, social movements, and also scientists.
  • 5.  It shows that, in Brazil, agroecology started as a movement!  But this movement had and has the farmers and their organizations as partners.  It means that the movement has its roots in practical experiences. In Brazil agroecology is developed with the farmers! II National Meeting of Agroecology – 2006 III National Meeting of Agroecology in prep. – 2014. Probably in São Paulo.
  • 6. 1.2. Agroecology is a practice  To manage biodiversity and to develop complex agroecosystems we need farmer´s knowledge  For agroecology: - A participatory approach is essential. - On-farm experiments are very important. - To respect and to value farmer´s knowledge is imperative! (This is very important to raise the farmer´s self esteem)
  • 7. www.agroecologiaemrede.org.br: 709 experiences are registered. We have practical experiences in all Brazilian biomes
  • 8.  From the Zona da Mata, 21 experiences are registered in that website, but we have several hundreds! It is a practice! Santa Fé Farm: our slogan is agroecology!
  • 9.  These experiences and the movement that started in the 80´s, as alternative agriculture are the basis of the national policy that we are formulating now.  Some of these experiences have been developed by CTA in partnership with the farmers organizations and staff of the Federal University of Viçosa. CTA was part of the Rede-PTA and is very active in ANA.
  • 10. 1.3. Agroecology is ALSO a science  Agroecology is shortly defined as the science to study, design and manage agroecosystems. - Consumers are also included. Nowadays, the definition of agroecology is towards a larger focus on the entire food system, defined as a global network of food production, distribution and consumption (Gliessman, 2007). - However, agroecology does not study only food systems, but also the production of energy, wood and fibers. BUT food comes first! - Moreover, there are boundaries among agroecosystems and among agroecosystems and the natural ecosystems.
  • 11.  2004. On the scientific side, the Brazilian Association of Agroecology (ABA) was created (http://www.aba-agroecologia.org.br). ABA is part of ANA  In 2006, agroecology was officially recognized as a science by EMBRAPA - the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. The referential benchmark for agroecology was published: (http://www.embrapa.br/publicacoes).  Recently, several technical, undergraduate and graduate courses on agroecology started in several universities, theses have been developed, papers published…
  • 12.  Therefore, in Brasil, agroecology is a movement, a practice and a science.  This is supported by Wezel et al., 2009. Agron. Sustain. Dev. (available on line).
  • 13. 2. Some of the experiences in the Zona da Mata Foto: CTA
  • 14. Atlantic Rainforest Biome The atlantic rainforest ranks among the top five biodiversity hotspots (Myers et al. 2000). • Nowadays: around 7% of it remains. • One of the reasons: agriculture Why to use monoculture in such a biodiverse biome?
  • 15. Main land use: full-sun coffee and pasture in monoculture. Managed mainly by family farmers. forest fragments… Coffee pastures forest fragments…
  • 16. Following the agroecological principles, CTA in partnership with UFV and small farmers organizations in Zona da Mata, developed agroforestry systems, using a participatory approach.
  • 17.  1993 - a Participatory Rural Apraisal (PRA) process was undertaken in Araponga (municipality of Zona da Mata).  One of the biggest problems pointed out by the farmers was the loss of soil quality – “enfraquecimento das terras”. Agroforestry Systems
  • 18.  The farmers prioritized land use problems and selected a committee called “terra forte” (strong land) composed of farmers, staff of the NGO and the Soil Department/UFV to present some land conservation proposals to overcome the problem. Foto: arquivos do CTA
  • 19.  The committee suggested several practices. - Most of them common to the farmers: Ex.: green manure; management of spontaneous vegetation. - One not common to the farmers: agroforesty systems Around 40 experiences (~40 family farmers), in 11 municipalities (Cardoso et al., 2001 – Agricultural Systems, 69: 235-257) Agroforestry in Zona da Mata started in 1994
  • 20. Why are trees so important? - Better use of the environment: above and below ground coffee Increase mycorrhizal network in deeper layer of the soil Some trees are leguminosae: rhizobium symbiosis
  • 21. - Attract more associated biodiversity: birds, bees etc. Associated biodiversity is responsible for many ecosystem services Why are trees so important? Photo:ArneJanssen
  • 22.  In the green revolution type of agriculture, the ecosystem services (nutrient cycling, pest controls, soil structure etc.) were replaced by chemical fertilizers, tillage and pesticides.  The replacement of the environmental services by chemicals is key to understanding why agriculture, instead of benefiting, harms biodiversity.  You can decide to be dependent on the biodiversity or on the industries that produce the external inputs (such as chemicals and pesticides).
  • 24. We collected 287 arthropods feeding on extrafloral nectaries of Inga trees. Almost 80% of the visitors were natural enemies. Among them, seven different species of parasites of the coffee leafminer. Rezende et al., in prep. Extrafloral nectaries: small pots of nectar in the petioles A thrips species was found visiting extrafloral nectaries. The thrips was also observed feeding on coffee berry borers. This was never reported before. Inga leaves
  • 25. From 2003 to 2005, CTA, farmers and the Soil Department systematized the experience with the agroforestry systems, using a participatory approach (Souza et al., 2012 - Agroforestry Systems 85: 247- 262). . - Farmers were visited and interviewed and we organized several meetings with the farmers Meeting at CTA Meeting in the community Meeting at the University Interview
  • 26. Pasture with trees During the systematization, we concentrated on agroforestry coffee systems. But we also have experiences with pasture and trees.
  • 27.  A diversified tree stratum (native trees and fruit trees);  A bush stratum (coffee and others – fruit trees);  A herbaceous stratum, (leguminosae, spontaneous vegetation, edible plants etc). Agroforestry coffee systems
  • 28. The farmers pointed out the criteria to selected the trees to intercrop with coffee Souza et al., 2010. Agroforestry Systems 80: 1-16
  • 29. (sampling root of S. macranthera for Loes Mertens, to screen for mycorrhiza) How to avoid competition for water and nutrients? Rhizosphere: fine roots of coffee concentrated in the top 20 cm of the soil; fine roots of Senna macranthera found below 40 cm. 60 cm S. macranthera
  • 30. How to avoid competition for light without pruning? Coffee is from deciduous forest in Ethiopia. Coffee needs more light exactly when the trees loose their leaves. We are in a region of semi-evergreen forest. It means that some of our trees loose their leaves in the dry season, exactly when coffee needs more light. Thus, no need for pruning the crown of those trees – it means less labour. With full sun coffee we are not benefing from the characteristics of our native trees and coffee plants.Aegiphila sellowiana: deciduous species from the Atlantic Forest
  • 31. The farmers pointed out 85 tree species compatible with coffee, which can be used in the agroforestry systems. Among them, Senna macranthera and Inga subnuda (Souza et al. 2010, Agroforestry Systems 80: 1-16).
  • 33. … changed into this lush vegetation in 15 years.
  • 37. Coffee 60 products + coffee Products bought by the family
  • 38. Breakfeast Lunch Food security and sovereignty Photo: Jaap Meijering Photo: Jaap Meijering Almost all food is produced at the farm
  • 39. For the wild animals... Eaten papaya Eaten avocado
  • 40. And also for Dutch...
  • 41. Water
  • 42. Wood: due to the management: fire wood, small constructions, fences... Low branch was cut to allow more light and air into the pasture
  • 43. Healthy and nice environment for the family!
  • 44. Healthy child: the best indicator of life quality!
  • 46. 1000 avocado plants 300 boxes: US$ 600,00
  • 49. Souza et al., 2010 Which system produces more food? Agroforestry or full sun coffee? And more profit? On average less coffee, but... D D
  • 50. Pollinization Floristic studies Soil quality ErosionNutrient cycling Since the beginning these COMPLEX systems have been studied, nowadays more intensely.
  • 51. We studied senescent materials of some species. Inga subnuda and Senna macranthera had the highest content of nutrients. However, Inga produced more recalcitrant litter (highest (LG+PP)/N and LG/N ratios). Therefore, lower decomposition rate (Duarte et al., in press). Senna macranthera flowering The residues of Senna release the nutrients faster than those of Inga.
  • 52. Inga gives more soil protection than Senna. Residues of Inga subnuda
  • 53. Therefore, to profit from Inga and Senna, we have to have both in the systems: biodiversity! BUT Inga and Senna are only two of the 85! Mix of leaves and fruits of Inga and Senna in agroforestry coffee systems Fruit of SennaFruit of Inga
  • 54. We do our best to study and to scale up the systems together with the family farmers and their organizations!
  • 55. We are following, with adapation, the methodology called peasant to peasant (Rosset et al., 2011), we promote meetings with the farmers on their properties, to observe and analyse their ecosystems. Besides the family farmers, students, researchers, agronomists, professors attend these meetings
  • 56.  In these meetings, everybody learns.  From these meetings arises the demands of the farmers and questions of the researchers;  We also answers research questions.
  • 57. The farmers also go to the University
  • 58. Once per year we have a regional meeting with farmers at the University. More than 200 farmers attend these meetings.
  • 59. If everything is so nice, why don’t we have more farmers involved?  To scale up these experiences is the main challenge nowadays (De Schutter, 2011 - Report submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, United Nations).  For that, appropriate public policies are necessary. The policies can create an enabling environment for such sustainable modes of production (De Schutter, 2011). What is happening in this respect in Brazil?  In 2011, during the discussion of the New Forest Code the Environmental Ministry and ANA (National Articulation for Agroecology) started talking about the national policy for agroecology. 3. Brazilian policy for agroecology and organic production
  • 60.  2012. The Marcha das Margaridas (The Peasant Women demonstration in Brasília) asked Dilma (our presidenta) to launch the national policy for agroecology – she agreed. Foto usada em cartaz da Contag. Cedido por Sara Pimenta
  • 61. We solve political problems with a political decision, not with a technical or with a scientific solution. DILMA (our presidenta) talking to the women! Foto: arquivos da Contag. Cedido por Sara Pimenta Foto: arquivos da Contag. Cedido por Sara Pimenta
  • 62. Because of the experiences all around Brazil, ANA was invited to give inputs to the national policy for agroecology and organic production. For ANA to give their inputs, the environmental ministry supported: Five regional meetings – according to our main biomes – and a national meeting.  More than 300 people participated in the six meetings. These people were representative of the social movement (Landless, Unions, Women, ABA, ANA etc).  A document was produced.  A seminar was organized to deliver and to discuss the document with the government.
  • 63. The government elaborated a first draft of the policy. Another seminar was organized to discuss the draft. August 2012: the policy was launched. One good point: recognize and support the use of landrace seeds. Two bad points: disconsider the land concentration and water controls problems. “The only thing that I want is a small piece of land to produce food! I am crazy about having a small piece of land” (coffee sharecropper from Araponga - Brazil
  • 64. (IBGE, 2006) Total of farms: 4367902 Total Area Family Farmers Other farmers Family Farmers Other farmers Family agriculture receives only 25% of the credits, produces 70% of our food! Family Agriculture x Industrial Agriculture in Brazil
  • 65. With the policy, the way was paved, but the process did not stop. Only the law is no garantee for actions and money. The policy has to be followed by a national plan for agroecology and organic production.  To formulate the plan two comittees were created. a) Comittee formed by the government staff: Four ministries are involved (to elaborate the plan).
  • 66. b) Comittee formed by the civil society: 26 participants from 23 organizations, among them Landless, Rural Unions, Women movement, ABA, ANA...) - to evaluate and give inputs to the plan. - We are working on the plan now; we hope to launch it in April. This is the first time that the social movements are getting together to formulate an agro- ecological policy. This is already considered a good result of the policy. Foto: secretaria da presidência
  • 67.  Remember: from 30-50% of the produced food is lost (Institution of Mechanical Engineers, UK).  Remember: a food system is defined as a global network of food production, distribution and consumption (Gliessman, 2007).  I will quickly give you an example to illustrate why I think we are not asking the right question 4. Can agroecology feed the world? Are we asking the correct question?
  • 68. Amazon Atlantic Forest Cerrado Cerrado 14th hotspot of biodiversity (Myers et al., 2000). A biodiverse savanna ecoregion (Brannstrom et al., 2008).  The size of Spain, France, Germany, Italy and UK together (WWF, 2012).  This biome is in rapid decline because of the expansion of modern agriculture (Brannstrom et al., 2008).  Since 1950, 40% of the cerrado was converted to agriculture (WWF, 2012).
  • 69. Maize (24%) Soybeans (35%) Sugar-cane (12%) Others (13%) IBGE (2007) Monoculture Monoculture Cultivated area - BRAZIL
  • 70. 82% of the soybeans is produced in Mato Grosso, Goiás (both cerrado), Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul (both Atlantic Forest). Most soybeans are exported.  Most soybeans are genetically modified (GMO).  Soybeans account for 45% of the pesticide consumption.
  • 71. Via Campesina campaign against the use of pesticides in Brazil On average we consume around 5 litres of pesticides per year per person. Lucas do Rio Verde is a municipality in Mato Grosso, where the main acitivity is agriculture, especially soybeans. Mothers‘ milk is contaminated with pesticides Pesticide kills Until when will we swallow this?
  • 72.  The Netherlands is our second importer of soybeans (46%). Mainly for food for the animals.  To produce soybeans, we need fertilizer. Brazil imports around 70% of N and 50% of P. More than 90% of the K. Is our agriculture sustainable? Is the Dutch agriculture sustainable?  Some scientists are arguing that the source of P will finish in 50- 100 years (Cordell et al., 2009: Global Environmental Change 19: 292–305). Our main source of P is Maroc. 5.1. The Netherland is part of our problem Also for cows – picture from The Netherlands – Jan 2013 Photo: Ana Paula CamposPhoto: Ana Paula Campos
  • 73. Thus: Maroc  Brazil  The Netherlands P Soybeans Who is feeding whom? Is Maroc feeding Brasil or The Netherlands? Feed animals, including cows Soybeans Produce cheese  In our supermaket, the Dutch cheese is 20 reals less expensive than the same type of cheese from Brasil.  The farmers of Minas Gerais can not sell their cheese: produced with unpasteurized milk (as in France...)  Are we really worried about feeding the world????
  • 74. Is it a matter of production to feed the world or to feed the food empire? Who has to feed whom? Is it a task of The Netherlands to feed the world? (Such a small country!) Is it a task of Brazil to feed the world? (Such a big country!) How about food security and sovereignty? Is it not better to work for each country to feed itself?
  • 75. Family Agriculture produces 70% of the food that reaches the Brazilian tables! If it is a matter of food security and food sovereignty, should we Brazilians invest in soybeans to export? (IBGE, 2006)
  • 76. 5.2. Can The Netherlands be part of our solution?  China (18%) is the first importer of Brazilian agricultural products.  The Netherlands is second (6,3%).  Together with Belgium, it imports more than 80% of our orange juice (produced in the Atlantic forest biome)  Important importer of our coffee (Atlantic forest biome) Conclusion: you Dutch are eating our cerrado and drinking our Atlantic Forest!
  • 77. How do you want to be part of our solution?
  • 78.  Dutch organizations comprimised themselves to invest € 7 millions to garantee that 100% of soy used in the food production in The Netherlands will be produced in a responsible way by 2015 (WWF, 2012).  What is a responsible way????
  • 79. I also believe in Sinterklaas! http://www.responsiblesoy.org/ Birds do not use any protective equipment!
  • 80. You cannot solve the problem with the same kind of thinking that created the problem Albert Einstein I would like to ask the Dutch Scientists of Wageningen University: Please, reformulate your questions! Is it really a matter of feeding the world?
  • 81. Bedankt Thank you! Obrigada! “For agroecology we need wisdom to work and patience to wait...” Dadinho (agroecological farmer – Pedra Dourada – Minas Gerais). Farmer´s Organizations