An agreement between the JBS Amazon Fund and Banco da Amazônia aims to facilitate access to credit for 1,500 family farmers in southeastern Pará through the Pronaf (National Program for Strengthening Family Farming). This initiative, announced during COP 29 in Baku, seeks to raise up to R$ 90 million to promote sustainable livestock farming and regenerative agriculture.
Focus Areas: Novo Repartimento, Pacajá, and Anapú
The funds will initially benefit farmers in Novo Repartimento, Pacajá, and Anapú, as part of the Restauramazônia project, which represents the largest investment in family farming within the Amazon biome. Started in 2021, the project combines agroforestry cocoa systems with rotational grazing livestock practices to restore degraded lands and enhance productivity.
Financial Support and Goals
By COP 30, set to take place in Belém, the initiative aims to support 300 families. Eligible farmers can access up to R$ 250,000 under the Pronaf Mais Alimentos program for activities like pasture recovery and infrastructure improvements. Additional funding is available for livestock acquisition, with repayment periods of up to 10 years and interest rates between 3% and 6% annually.
Key project goals include:
- Promoting environmental regularization.
- Enhancing property traceability.
- Diversifying production systems.
- Encouraging low-carbon livestock farming.
Banco da Amazônia will assess technical proposals, manage financial evaluations, and provide training, while the JBS Amazon Fund will lead efforts in pasture recovery and diversification.
Addressing Deforestation
Andrea Azevedo, director of the JBS Amazon Fund, highlights that many small-scale livestock farmers resort to deforestation due to a lack of resources for pasture renewal. By providing financial and technical support, the project aims to integrate these farmers into sustainable supply chains, reducing their environmental impact and improving their livelihoods.
Despite small producers occupying only 8% of Pará’s dominant biome, they have been associated with a disproportionate share of deforestation. From 2017 to 2023, 5% of settlements accounted for 65% of deforestation in settlement areas and 17% of vegetation loss in the biome.
Impact of Restauramazônia
Since its launch, the Restauramazônia project has achieved significant milestones:
- 44,000 hectares under sustainable practices.
- Over 1,000 hectares of agroforestry systems implemented.
- A 47% increase in household income for participating families.
Paulo Lima, Cocoa and Livestock Manager at Solidaridad, noted that the project has transformed areas like Tuerê, one of Latin America’s largest rural settlements, into a global hub for fine cocoa production.
A Step Towards Sustainable Development
This collaboration underscores the importance of engaging small-scale farmers in sustainable practices to protect the Amazon while fostering economic growth. With its holistic approach, Restauramazônia is positioned to drive long-term change, balancing conservation with productivity.
