Family Agriculture and Local Development in Ceará

Location:  

Municipalities of Granja and Tejucuoca, State of Ceará, Brazil

Context and objective:

Begun in 2006, this project draws on 15 years of experience with the small farmers of the very dry Sertão region in Ceará. Its objective is increasing rural family income in two municipalities by helping small farmers to diversify their agricultural production and reinforce their local associations.

Actions: 

Agricultural production support 

Farmers receive advice and micro-credits for developing poultry raising and beekeeping. Nurseries are planted in the different municipalities to produce tree seedlings (cashew, mango and papaya) that peasants will plant on their land.

Marketing support 

The project support farmers and their associations in finding new markets for their products.

Local association reinforcement 

Small community associations receive training and support to implement social or productive micro- projects, complete legal forms and benefit from government programs supporting agricultural families.

Direct beneficiaries: 540 families and 14 community associations

Indirect beneficiaries: 1,000 families (5,000 people) in two municipalities

Partners:

- The Brazilian NGO GACC

- The European Commission and La Redoute/Redcats Group are funding the project.