Sustainability and family farming, a project in Brazil that feeds the future

Living with drought isn’t easy. Communities in some semi-arid areas in Brazil that are grappling with the need to limit water use and, at the same time, increase food production in the fields, know this only too well. Some of these families have found a valuable ally in Enel Green Power when it comes to applying new sustainable solutions. An agroecology project We have set up a series of initiatives in Brazil to reduce food waste, generate income, and make better use of land and water. The goal is to improve the quality not only of our energy but of life for everyone. How can we do this? By providing technical assistance and training to farmers in areas close to our power plants, with the aim of promoting family farming in line with the principles of agroecology. This is resilient agriculture: it’s a system that meets both the food needs and the short- and long-term development requirements of communities, by encouraging the adaptation of the agricultural system to climate change. It brings together productivity and the defense of ecosystems. Educational workshops in Aroeira and Lagoa Dos Ventos These initiatives have been undertaken in the semi-arid region in northeastern Brazil. Specifically, in the state of Bahia, near the Aroeira wind farm; and in the state of Piaui, in the area around the Lagoa dos Ventos wind farm, which is one of the largest in the country. In 2023, we assisted some 70 families for four months, with specialized agronomy and animal science professionals providing technical advice, monitoring the activities of the families involved, and organizing educational workshops on good agricultural practices and sustainability. We worked in collaboration with local rural producers' associations and unions, municipal departments of agriculture, and the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE, Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas). Seminars were held with hands-on activities, such as preparing a composting system, while materials were distributed with information to enrich knowledge and raise awareness about responsible land use and the conservation of native forests, as well as guidelines for pest and disease control. The goal of the program, then, is to encourage direct actions for addressing local problems and increasing food production by learning how to manage drought periods, improve land use, and work native crops without using products that harm pollinating insects such as bees. The program is also designed to apply agroecological practices for feeding and maintaining herds of cattle, goats and sheep: for example, a hydroponic maize crop was developed at the Lagoa facility for demonstration purposes. Maize is one of the main feeds for livestock.

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Sustainability and family farming, a project in Brazil that feeds the future

Sustainability and family farming, a project in Brazil that feeds the future