ProVeg Brazil has launched a new project designed to assist farmers in transitioning from livestock farming to plant-based agroforestry systems. The Cultiva Project will offer agricultural, legal, and marketing support to rural producers seeking to shift from animal production to plant-based food production methods. This initiative is intended to provide economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially fair alternatives for family farmers in Brazil.
“Our goal is to accelerate the transition to more sustainable plant-rich food systems”
The initiative comes at a time when Brazil, a major global producer of animal products, faces significant challenges in balancing agricultural land use with environmental sustainability. Livestock farming is responsible for 90% of deforestation in the Amazon and over half of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Despite occupying a large portion of its territory with agriculture, 58% of which is dedicated to pastures, Brazil struggles to provide its population with adequate and minimally processed food options.
Aline Baroni, executive director of ProVeg Brazil, explained the focus of the project: “We are proposing a solution to this impasse that will encourage just transition, food security, and more sustainable agricultural production.” The Cultiva Project aims to address these issues by supporting farmers who are interested in adopting agroforestry practices.
Support for transitioning farmers
The project will offer participating farmers free technical assistance in agronomy, law, and marketing. Producers who currently engage in livestock farming—whether cattle, poultry, or pigs—will be eligible for support. Each farmer will receive an individualized transition plan to implement at least one hectare of agroforestry on their land. The program will provide at least nine months of technical support for each transition, ensuring farmers receive the guidance necessary to succeed in this shift toward plant-based food production.
Agroforestry, which integrates trees with agricultural crops, offers several benefits, including improved biodiversity, soil health, and land use efficiency. These systems also enhance environmental resilience, making them an attractive alternative to traditional livestock farming. Research shows that agroforestry can generate up to six times more income per hectare than livestock production, while contributing to food security for farmers and their communities.
Agroforestry’s dual impact
Beyond producing food, agroforestry systems also help protect biodiversity, combat deforestation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By combining economic production with sustainable land management, the Cultiva Project aligns agricultural practices with long-term environmental goals, benefiting both producers and the wider ecosystem.
Baroni continued, “Our goal is to accelerate the transition to more sustainable plant-rich food systems. This project seeks not only to reduce the environmental impact of animal production but also to offer rural producers a new income prospect.”
