{"id":9367,"date":"2024-10-21T13:54:01","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T13:54:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/13.218.190.167\/?p=9367"},"modified":"2026-03-05T21:59:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T21:59:35","slug":"planaflor-new-index-highlights-challenges-and-strategies-to-strengthen-smallholder-farming-in-brazil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bvrio.org\/pt-br\/planaflor-new-index-highlights-challenges-and-strategies-to-strengthen-smallholder-farming-in-brazil\/","title":{"rendered":"PlanaFlor: new index highlights challenges and strategies to strengthen smallholder farming in Brazil"},"content":{"rendered":"

The newspapers <\/span>O Globo<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Valor Econ\u00f4mico<\/span><\/a> have recently published a pivotal article emphasising how climate change exacerbates the vulnerability of smallholder farming in Brazil, which accounts for 70% of the food consumed in the country. The report is based on an index on the topic, developed by <\/span>PlanaFlor<\/span><\/a>, a strategic plan aimed at promoting concrete actions to facilitate the implementation of Brazil\u2019s Forest Code (Federal Law <\/span>L12651<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

PlanaFlor outlines eight strategic macro-objectives for the Forest Code’s implementation, one of which is the promotion of sustainable small-holding farming, ensuring social inclusion and food security both in rural and urban areas. While smallholder farming isn\u2019t directly regulated under the Forest Code, increased funding and incentives for sustainable farming practices have a direct impact on the law’s execution.<\/span><\/p>\n

To support this effort, PlanaFlor has conducted a targeted study that prioritises municipalities with high levels of vulnerability in smallholder farming (<\/span>study\u2019s summary in Portuguese here, pages 58-61<\/span><\/a>). A national-scale index was developed based on four criteria: density of smallholder farming properties, productivity of five main crops, social inequality, and deficits in Permanent Preservation Areas (APPs). The findings show that the northeastern hinterland has the highest levels of vulnerability: of the 557 municipalities identified as most fragile in the country, 78% are located in the northeast, and highlights other priority regions such as the north of Minas Gerais, and Paran\u00e1 States, in Southwest Brazil (see map).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Priority municipalities for strengthening smallholder farming in Brazil<\/h6>\n

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PlanaFlor proposes a comprehensive set of actions to support these municipalities, focusing on planning and regulatory adjustments, and emphasising the need to improve access to new technologies, enhance local skills, and facilitate access to credit. The index and the proposed actions aim to provide a sustainable path forward for helping to fortify smallholder farming while addressing the broader challenges posed by climate change and food security in Brazil.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recently, PlanaFlor\u2019s project manager, Marcelo Hercowitz, visited some of the most vulnerable municipalities in the Reconcavo region in Bahia, northeast Brazil. \u201cDuring our visit, we were able to confirm the index\u2019s effectiveness in identifying key municipalities to focus on for strengthening smallholder farming, despite the diversity of farming structures and the unique characteristics of each location,\u201d said Marcelo.<\/span><\/p>\n

PlanaFlor\u2019s key findings for smallholder farming in Brazil:<\/b><\/p>\n