Case Clinic: Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security Goias State - Joao Marcos Bertoldi May 11, 2017

Goias Case Clinic: Challenge The agriculture sector in Goias relies on industry standard practices, such as aerial application of chemicals and the use of genetically modified seeds, to maintain crop yields. In Goias, the proximity of many rural agriculture areas to protected areas is such that there are unintended consequences from agricultural practices on the surrounding landscape.

Goias Case Clinic: Background Info

(Goias Parks plus National Parks ) Total area: 1.325.274,13 h a Full Protected Areas (Goias Parks plus National Parks ) Total area: 1.325.274,13 h a There also plus: Municipal full protection areas private reserve areas required by law (20% of properties).

Goias Case Clinic: Goal Identify innovative market strategies to incentivize commodity producers, near protected areas, to be environmentally friendly, while still maintaining crop yields and profitability. Use society to send signals and influence the market to increase demand for environmentally friendly food production that ultimately will shift agriculture practices and industry norms and create a new market for agroecological commodities that offer a more diverse range of products that have green origin certification.

Goias Case Clinic: Background Info Agriculture commodities: soybeans, sugar cane, corn, manioc, rice, beef Primary agriculture commodity: soybeans Soybean production (2015): 8.606.210 tons Demand: ~50% domestic uses (animal feed & other uses) ~50% exported Exportation of soy and beef (2016): Soy complex – 966.413 tons – 48 % of all exportation Beef complex – 43.188 tons – 15,16 % of all exportation Major importers of Goias agriculture commodities: Soybeans: China, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Middle East, Russia Beef: almost everywhere, emphasis on China and Middle East Goias produces a variety of grains and considerable amount of sugar cane, this case concentrates on soy since it causes more impact due to its high production. I will focus on soy production as it is a very important asset for Goias when it comes to commerce abroad. some data about meat production is included because soy is a primary product in animal feed.

Goias Case Clinic: Background Info Relevant Legislation and Policies 2016 air spraying legislation (similar to national) 2.000m from sources of water for public supply 300m from rivers, lakes, streams and other sources of water National School Feeding Program (structured demand for smallholder farmers) incentives for family farmers that supply higher-quality (organic) commodities to schools National Organic Agriculture Law established a system for certifying organic products Incentives and Payments for Ecosystem Services protection of forest maintenance and water resources (particularly for water resources that supply cities). None to reward the agroecological producer for clean production, at practice. Organization of the commercial system: Agriculture Ministry created legislation and set rules for organizing guarantee commerce Registration on the Ministry and Organic stamp Both Certified selling and direct producer-consumer selling Riparian protected area – required by law – surrounded by crop area.

Goias Case Clinic: Background Info Measures to foster environmentally friendly agriculture National Council for Research (CNPq) offers grants and scholarships for research at Universities, including rural dissemination Some researchers and professors develop research by themselves Rural producers interchange experiences, methodologies and high-diversity seeds Small agriculture producers began to organize themselves in cooperatives Local campaigns directed at consumers’ consciousness in order to increase consumption Support social will for implementing a pilot project inside the Protected Area of ‘Pouso Alto’ (NE of Goias) converting areas of intensive industrial agriculture into more friendly agriculture technologies Success: There is large demand for Organic food and production is becoming insufficient

Air spraying is not allowed in the ‘Buffer amortization area” Other areas in Pouso Alto Protected Area are supposed gradually stopping air spraying

Goias Case Clinic: R4BLP input & help How can Goias organize a network of markets for products that originate from Protected Areas and products that are produced using environmentally friendly agricultural practices?

Thank you R4BLP Members!