Alternative agriculture projects in Brazil
Country: Brazil | Partner: AS-PTA
Aims
- To closely monitor and oppose the commercial release of GMOs in Brazil
- To promote and develop Brazilian agriculture based on agro-ecological principles
- To strengthen family agriculture
- To influence public agricultural policies in favour of sustainable agricultural practices
The facts
- Despite being one of the richest nations in the world in terms of GDP, 58 million people in Brazil suffer from hunger and lack food security
- The Brazilian government is backing large-scale agriculture. £840 million was allocated to 10 multinational agribusinesses alone, according to the budget for 2003/2004. Almost the same amount was allocated to the entire country’s family agriculture sector (4 million families)
- Multinationals dominate the agricultural market. By 1999, multinationals controlled 90% of the hybrid maize seed market, with one company controlling 60% of the market
- The cost of producing crops using GMOs or chemical methods is much more expensive than traditional methods - 60-70% of the price of the crop. Agricultural families are left with a tiny income of about 830 USD a year, far below the international poverty line
- Lack of food security is forcing rural people to migrate to urban areas. Between 1996 and 1999, 4.2 million people left the countryside to join the 30 million who flocked to urban centres between 1970 and 1990
In Brazil 40 % of the poor live in rural areas. Unequal land distribution and agricultural policies that favour large-scale agriculture are at the root of Brazil's agricultural complications.
Anti-GM campaign
AS-PTA is leading the campaign against genetically modified organisms in Brazil (GMOs). Under pressure from multinational biotechnology firms and commercial farmers, Brazil's government recently relaxed biosafety regulation on the sale of genetically modified seeds. Since GM maize was legalised in 2008 over 50% of all new maize seeds to come on sale in Brazil are GM. Varieties of other GM seeds including rice and soybean have also recently been legalised.
Small-scale farmers are now faced with a doubled edged sword. GM seeds are more expensive, therefore increasing their costs, but at they same time they are producing poorer harvests. However, few options are now available to small farmers as GM seeds are starting to dominate the market. These farmers depend on the ability to store and share seeds within their communities, but this right could be challenged by the biotechnology firms that sell the seeds. Farmers will also need to protect their crops from accidental contamination from GMOs to prevent allegations of illegal use of the GM seeds due to the patents that are placed on them.
War on Want is pleased to support AS-PTA in its work to monitor and oppose the commercial release of GMOs, and at the same time counter the effects of GMO growth by:
- Working with small farmers to promote the use of local varieties of seeds, which in contrast to GM seeds don't cost anything and will also produce for generations of harvests to come
- Supporting small farmers to monitor the effects of GM seeds, including contamination of non GM crops
- Raising awareness of the dangers and growth of GM, with small farming communities and also the Brazilian public at large
Supporting small-scale farming
AS-PTA has been supporting sustainable agriculture and food security in Brazil for over 20 years by promoting and strengthening family and ecological farming. It acts as a partner and advisor for small-scale farmers and family agriculture, promoting ecological practices in order to influence policymaking towards sustainable practices. In addition to the basic rights of small-scale farmers, AS-PTA is currently campaigning against GMOs.
The AS-PTA works at the local, regional and national levels support small-scale farmers. Locally it supports networks and development projects and works with local family agriculture organisations, facilitating the research and dissemination of new farming techniques and improving production systems. The AS-PTA also helps local agricultural organisations build capacity, which allows local groups to manage their own rural community development projects.
As a member of the umbrella group for all organisations working on ecological farming in Brazil, the AS-PTA plays an active part in regional and national networks, civil society working groups and public agricultural bodies. Regionally and nationally, the AS-PTA develops extensive ecological farming information resources to support initiatives that influence public policy.
War on Want gratefully acknowledges funding for this programme from the Civil Society Challenge Fund of the UK government's Department for International Development.
