Project distributes 10 tons of seeds to semi-arid farmers

The Lagos do São Francisco Project, an initiative by Embrapa Semiárido (Petrolina-PE) in partnership with Chesf and BNDES, enabled the donation of 10 tons of bean, corn and sorghum seeds to family farmers in the states of Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe and Bahia. The seeds are being distributed through collaborations with local institutions, respecting protection and safety measures in relation to the coronavirus.

According to researcher Rebert Correia, coordinator of the Project, the action seeks to help maintain family production during this period when planting begins, also contributing to the herds' food reserve, which is considered a critical issue for livestock farmers in the semi-arid region.

The municipalities that received the donations were: Canindé do São Francisco, Poço Redondo and Nossa Senhora da Glória, in Sergipe; Delmiro Gouveia and Pariconha, in Alagoas; Jatobá in Pernambuco and Glória in Bahia.

São Francisco Lakes

The Lagos do São Francisco Project seeks to serve communities located around dams and hydroelectric plants on the São Francisco River, covering 12 municipalities in four states in the Northeast (AL, SE, BA and PE). The initiative includes activities focused on the production of honey, fruits, vegetables and food crops, animal husbandry and the preservation and recovery of riparian forests.

The project is expected to directly and indirectly benefit more than four thousand producers in the region, increasing farmers' productivity and improving their quality of life.