The reNature Agroforestry Coffee Project
Tackling deforestation through a pilot project in the Amazon Apuí Municipality, Brazil
By The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
reNature & Idesam
Satellite Image of Apuí Municipality, Brazil (2023) by © Google EarthThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Where is Apuí Municipality?
Apuí Municipality is in the Amazon forest, State of Amazonas in Brazil. Since the year 2000, the rate of deforestation in this area has increased critically. The main causes of deforestation in the Amazon are agriculture and livestock.
Coffee Trees growing togeteher with other Crops and Trees, Apuí reNature Project, Brazil (2022) by © Daiana Dietzmann/reNatureThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
What is regenerative agroforestry?
Regenerative Agriculture is an agricultural system designed to ensure farmers a healthy soil, food security, economic growth, water storage, and climate resilience, while reforesting and/or considering existing trees.
Training on Agroforestry at the Apuí reNature Project, Brazil (2022) by © Daiana Dietzmann/reNatureThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The business of restoration
The goal of this project is to make regenerative agroforestry a successful business case for tackling deforestation in Amazonia. It combines the reforestation of Apuí area with the creation of commercially viable regenerative agroforestry coffee business with local farmers.
Smiling Man at Apuí reNature Project, Brazil (2022) by © Daiana Dietzmann/reNatureThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Partnership
Idesam, a Brazilian NGO that started working in Apuí in 2012 and reNature which connects farmers to research, knowledge and funding sources, to initiate and facilitate the transition to regenerative agriculture. Financial support is provided by the Leopold Bachmann Foundation.
How did the current project start?
Various coffee harvest plots in the region having been abandoned for several years due to low productivity, in 2012 Idesam decided to carry out a study in this deforested area.
Idesam study's results
The results showed that the plots of abandoned coffee plantations were of better quality than those still active. The shadow created by the surrounding forest was better for coffee production. Idesam created the project taking nature as a mentor.
Monoculture lands and palmoil plantages near the mangrove estuary in the South of Krabi, Thailand (2014) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/3071
Monoculture
Like in so many places in the world and, for most of agriculture activities, Apuí’s coffee is traditionally cultivated using monoculture (growing a single crop in one area) which needs long-lasting support from harmful chemicals to make it profitable.
Geometrical scars on the land, Matto Grosso, Brazil (2014) by © GRID-Arendal/Riccardo PravettoniOriginal Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/3123
Consequences of monoculture
Unfortunately, this agricultural model, so widespread today, leads to:
- Land degradation
- Decrease in harvest
- Land and water pollution
- Severe damage to ecosystems
- Dramatic biodiversity loss
- Adverse impacts on nature and human health
Herd of Brahma Cattle led by Pantaneiro Vaqueiro, Mato Grosso,Brazil (2016) by © Bernard DupontOriginal Source: https://flic.kr/p/JKuVYn
More cattle = more deforestation
The introduction of livestock leads to greater deforestation due to the need for more pasture. Now the main objective is to counteract deforestation by replacing pasture lands with productive coffee forests, while allowing producers to generate increased sustainable income.
Preserving and reforesting
By cultivating coffee into the forest, the soils are safeguarded, the coffee plants are naturally nurtured, the water resources are preserved, and the coffee quality is much better. Drawing inspiration from nature leads to naturally higher quality crops!
How does it work?
In agroforestry, the coffee plants are intercropped with native tree species such as ipê, andiroba, jatobá and fruit trees. These trees provide necessary shading and improve the regulation of the local micro climate, and also provide an additional source of income.
Ultimate goals
- Counteract deforestation by replacing pastures with productive coffee forests
- Diversification of crops
- Increased and sustainable income for producers
- Improve the livelihoods of up to 200 smallholder farmers and their families
- Restore the Amazon ecosystem
Training about Agroforestry at the Apuí reNature Project, Brazil (2022) by © Daiana Dietzmann/reNatureThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Changing minds and habits
The Apuí project includes several workshops, including:
- Implementing structural changes
- Long term guidance for farmers
- Consideration of family labour
- Maintenance of coffee quality
- Normalisation of sustainable farming
- Ensuring regular incomes
- Preserving the Amazon rainforest biodiversity
IDESAM/reNature Workshop Cafe Apui (2022) by © reNatureOriginal Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZCFcBxxgJ8
Talking about Quality of Coffee Fruits, Apuí reNature Project, Brazil (2022) by © Daiana Dietzmann/reNatureThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Results so far
The Apuí project has supported 88 coffee producers and aims to reach its target of 120 smallholder farmers over the 3 year project duration. The families are reaping the fruits of the alliance with nature by selling two products: Café Apuí Agroflorestal and Café Apuí Orgânico.
Concrete benefits
reNature project farmers in Apuí have experienced increased yields and incomes, improving their livelihoods. More trees have been saved as the area's deforestation rate has been reduced. The project now also includes an education facility for local capacity-building.
Join us and learn more!
- UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
- Regenerative Agriculture
- reNature Works globally towards regenerative agriculture
- Idesam Promotes sustainable use of natural resources in the Amazon, seeks alternatives for nature conservation, social development, and climate mitigation
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