Farmers participate in a course on agroecological practices

The Ativa Barcarena project promoted the “Soil Health and Agroecological Practices” course for family farmers in the municipality of Barcarena, in partnership with the Juquira Candiru Satyagraha (JCS) network. Over two days, 32 participants learned how to analyze the soil using the “Pfeiffer Chromatography” technique, a tool capable of revealing fertility in a broad and multidimensional way.

In addition to the project's beneficiaries, three technicians from the Municipal Department of Agriculture (Semagri) and the Ativa Barcarena team attended the course, which had content and methodology proposed by Juquira Candiru and the Peabiru Institute. The classes also brought techniques on the production and use of glass water and charcoal for substrate, natural seed pelleting for storage and planting, as well as agroecological recipes for controlling pests and diseases. Aimed at farmers and technicians interested in the topic, the practices can and should be adapted to each territory and, mainly, to the resources available in each productive reality.

Hydro's senior manager of socio-environmental programs, Rachel Starling, reinforces that Ativa Barcarena will contribute to the sustainable and permanent development of an agri-food system for the municipality of Barcarena. “From the strengthening of family farming, network organization, public-private partnerships and the discussion of local public policies, we reinforce the company's Care and Collaboration with its investments in social development, seeking to be a good neighbor, supporting local economies and facilitating knowledge”, he highlights.

For Flora Bittencourt, manager of the Ativa Barcarena project through Peabiru, it is important to encourage the use of agroecological techniques and reduce or end the use of toxic agrochemicals in the municipality. “We must encourage agricultural practices that respect ecosystem cycles and all beings involved, including the farmer and the end consumer, to produce healthy and safe food for consumption. By favoring the use of local resources in maintaining crops and animal husbandry, it is possible to reduce financial investments in purchasing inputs and equipment and, at the same time, encourage the formation of networks between farmers with the same interests and/or who face the same challenges ”, highlights Flora.

The Ativa Barcarena project has been carried out by Hydro and implemented by the Peabiru Institute, in Barcarena, northeast of Pará, since 2018 and values ​​family farming and sustainable food production with the aim of promoting the development of a local agri-food system. Currently, the project provides technical assistance to 91 farming families, but since the beginning of activities, 392 farming families have participated, resulting in 1.568 people directly and indirectly benefiting from the actions carried out. To hold the course in 2022, the partnership was reinforced by articulation with Juquira Candiru, which works with a focus on organic peasant agriculture and is a reference in topics related to family farming. In 2018, the JCS team offered the “Agroecological Firefighter” course for family farmers who benefited from the Ativa Barcarena project, as well as some students, technicians and teachers in Pará.