The Jaguaribe Valley, in the state of Ceará, is one of the most vulnerable areas in north-eastern Brazil. The territory is characterised by a semi-arid climate, with high temperatures and rainfall concentrated in a few months of the year. Water insecurity, together with widespread poverty, poor professional qualifications and rural emigration, hinders the development of local farming communities. The situation is further aggravated by climate change and unsustainable agricultural practices, such as the excessive use of agrochemicals, uncontrolled fires and soil degradation, with serious consequences for the environment and public health, particularly for children. Women, despite playing a central role in family and productive life, are often excluded from the formal labour market and are economically dependent on men.
The Seeds of Hope project is working in seven municipalities in the region to improve food security, strengthen climate resilience and promote the socio-economic development of rural communities. The initiative will directly involve 429 farmers, with a particular focus on women and young people, through the dissemination of agroecological practices and the creation of vegetable gardens and agroforestry systems, which allow for pesticide-free cultivation, increasing biodiversity and regenerating soils. Innovative and low-cost technologies will be introduced, such as aquaponics and vermiculture, which combine environmental sustainability and new income opportunities.
The project also includes training courses on healthy eating, agricultural product processing and sustainable natural resource management, strengthening the skills of the communities involved. An awareness campaign will reach over 100,000 people, promoting a culture of sustainable and conscious eating, also in response to the widespread use of chemicals in agriculture.
Through an integrated and participatory approach, Seeds of Hope aims to generate a lasting impact, contributing to the construction of a sustainable, equitable and resilient agricultural model for the Jaguaribe Valley.
Contribute to sustainable development and food security for vulnerable populations in the state of Ceará, Brazil, by improving socio-economic and environmental conditions through the promotion of a sustainable agriculture model in terms of production, processing and consumption, based on agroecological practices and Agroforestry Systems (SAF).
ICEI will provide rural smallholder families with training and the appropriate means/tools to increase and diversify their agricultural production while respecting the environment and using a circular model. Together with local partners and communities, ICEI will also work to improve/increase knowledge and skills in the areas of food, nutrition, social economy and environmental sustainability.
The project involves 429 direct beneficiaries, members of farming families in the Vale do Jaguaribe, selected according to socio-economic vulnerability criteria. Specifically:
- 308 farmers (170 women, 138 men, including 57 young people) will be supported in creating agroforestry gardens. Among these, 10 will receive training and materials for the management of forest nurseries and seed banks; 100 will be equipped with irrigation systems.
- 30 women will be trained in the food and nutritional use of bananas.
- 80 children will participate in educational activities on healthy eating, with nutritious snacks and workshops on the environment.
- Eight families (13 people) will be supported in processing fruit into pulp for self-consumption and sale.
- Another eight families will be involved in innovative and sustainable agricultural practices such as greenhouse management, aquaponics systems, meliponiculture for honey production and vermiculture for the production of natural fertilisers.
As for the indirect beneficiaries, 100,000 people will be reached through an awareness campaign on healthy eating, sustainable use of natural resources and regenerative agriculture.
Project activities
At the start of the project, native seeds free of agrotoxins will be distributed. Subsequently, beneficiaries will be provided with tool kits for each household, which will be useful for starting and managing Agroforestry Systems (AFS). Adequate training on agroecology, agroecological consortia and SAFs will also be provided, directly involving the students of the Jaguaribana Family Farm School (EFA). To support the families’ agricultural activities, a phytopathology and soil analysis laboratory will be set up at the Padre João Piamarta Youth Education Centre.
The local Caritas will provide training and implement social technologies, as well as organising courses on banana processing and the use of local fruit pulp. These activities are aimed particularly at women, thus helping to promote gender equality and their social empowerment.
Awareness-raising and training on maternal and child nutrition are a central element of the project: they aim to promote greater awareness of the importance of healthy eating, the dangers of pesticide use and the benefits of the circular economy, which values the recycling of food and plants.
Finally, the project involves the entire community in the intervention region through a training, information and awareness campaign via radio, which is still the most widespread means of communication in rural areas.