Families living in riverside communities in the southern Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul are participating in a program aimed at developing sustainable economic activities through food production. The goal is to ensure that these remote communities receive support through agriculture, providing food security and generating income by selling their harvests to the local tourism trade.
The agroforestry system was implemented by the Instituto Homem Pantaneiro, a civil society organization, with consultancy from Sebrae, an institution that promotes entrepreneurship in Brazil.
Agroforester Alcides Fernandes Neto explains:
“Agroforestry is an agronomic cultivation technique where you plant species with long and short cycles, producing everything from food like fruits and vegetables to even timber. Previously, they mainly relied on fish from fishing and cassava, which was more traditional, but now we are introducing a much wider variety of foods, enabling them to grow fruits, vegetables, and even many leafy greens, so they can have a healthier, cleaner diet without depending on city logistics.”
Some areas have already been in place for two years. No chemical pesticides are used—manure and rock dust ensure fertilization and protection against pests. The gardens produce a variety of fruits, vegetables, and greens, such as lettuce, arugula, kale, chives, cilantro, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, bananas, sugarcane, papayas, blackberries, cashews, and avocados.
Previously, residents relied primarily on fish and cassava for food. Fresh produce was purchased from the nearest city, 200 kilometers away. Resident Wilson Malheiros highlights the program’s importance:
“Now we have fresh vegetables right at our doorstep, ready for daily consumption. It’s different from having to buy from the city. From the city to here, it’s almost 200 kilometers by water, and the vegetables come from far away, stored in cold chambers. But here we have fresh vegetables straight from the garden.”