Local Context

A large number of rural communities in Tocantins is characterized by family farms. Because of the lack of access to technical information, many of these farmers are losing their land. The project therefore aims to empower family farmers on associations and cooperatives, agro-ecology, affirmative action for women and product certification. The initiative took place between 2003 and 2005 in rural settlements in the municipalities of Chapada de Areia, Centenário, Pium, Tocantínia, Barrolândia, Dianópolis, Goianorte and Araguatins. The project had financial support from the Ministry of Agrarian Development and partnerships with the National Programme for Strengthening Family Agriculture (Pronaf) and Seagro.

Project Description

The project is characterized by training farmers on alternative practices which will help them increase their productivity. The training was formulated to be practical, offering appropriate solutions to family farming. The participatory nature of the project ensured that the training would cover the most important areas, being based on educational methods for adults, recognizing the different levels of education as well as considering environmental issues, gender and race. There were 600 direct beneficiaries and 1,800 indirect beneficiaries.

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Resume (Portuguese)