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SAFE Brazil

SAFE Brazil

What is the local context of Brazil and how can we address it?

Deforestation

However, its ecosystems have been threatened by deforestation and forest degradation, most of which is illegal

Local context

In addition, conversion of native vegetation, unsustainable use of natural resources, land conflicts, violation of labour rights and the rights of Indigenous and traditional peoples, and gender inequality are some of the major problems encountered in Amazonian ecosystems.​

Biodiversity

The Amazon biome covers about 49.5% of Brazilian territory and is characterised by high biodiversity and significant freshwater resources. 

Agriculture

It is estimated that 90% of the deforested area is used for extensive cattle ranching and agricultural production (Mapbiomas, 2022).

Decoupling Agriculture from Deforestation

Agriculture has great economic and cultural importance in the region and represents the basis of life for many rural families. However, incentives for adopting sustainable practices and opportunities for farmers to prove compliance with environmental and social standards are still lacking. Considering the pressure of international markets to assure that agricultural production is decoupled from deforestation, vulnerable groups risk being excluded from such markets, thus reducing opportunities for value addition.

Approach

In Brazil, SAFE is implemented in partnership with the Federal Government of Brazil, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) and GIZ. In the country, the project fosters the sustainability of production chains with a focus on cocoa and cattle ranching, regularisation and legality in production, improvement of market access and value addition, promotion of traceability​ systems, incentives for the preservation of forest ecosystems, and access to finance. The pilot area for the implementation of the activities is the Xingu region, in the municipality of Altamira, in the state of Pará, working with families of local producers in settlements of agrarian reform. 

Commodities SAFE is working on in Brazil

Activities

Sustainable Cocoa and Cattle Production

The value chains are being analysed regarding the status of their producers in terms of legality, traceability and being deforestation-free. Smallholders, especially women and youth, are empowered to adopt sustainable cocoa and cattle farming practices in alignment with national goals.

Capacity Building and Training

Family farming is strengthened and supported in an inclusive transition to sustainable production in the cocoa and livestock sectors. Training programs focus on sustainable agriculture, legal compliance, and social standards, ensuring farmers adopt low-carbon practices and sustainable land use. Special emphasis is placed on promoting gender-inclusive value chains and encouraging youth participation in leadership roles.

Advancing Low-Carbon Agriculture

SAFE Brazil promotes low-carbon agriculture in alignment with the national ABC+ Plan, which reduces emissions by encouraging sustainable practices in cocoa and cattle farming. Initiatives like AgroBrasil+Sustentável track compliance with environmental criteria, while the Amazônia+Sustentável plan strengthens governance to align farming with national climate goals. These efforts contribute to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, fostering sustainable agriculture across Brazil.

Traceability System for Cattle

By testing existing traceability and monitoring systems and piloting due diligence processes with partners, the project aims to develop a proposal for a national traceability system for cattle, ensuring deforestation-free standards.

Market Access and Financial Inclusion

In partnership with transnational companies new markets are opened for smallholders (Partnership with OFI, Mondelez). Through capacity buildings cooperatives are supported to access credit, sustainably manage their businesses, and meet global deforestation-free criteria.

Partners

Region:

(Lower) Kafue Catchment Ecosystem

Target group:

Farmers and community forest management groups

Key activities:
  • Support community forest management groups in the
    sustainable management of natural resources and livelihood creation
  • Support farmers to produce soy in line with the EUDR and increase productivity, and implement transparency and traceability pilots
Commodities:
More infos
Region:

Lampung, West Kalimantan, and Central Sulawesi

Target group:

Smallholder farmers, private sector, and civil society organizations along the value chains

Key activities:
  • Empowering Smallholder Farmers and Farmer Organizations by facilitating traceability and legality, building capacity on Good Agriculture Practices (GAP), and strengthening farmer organizations, ensuring inclusive support for both men and women farmers.
  • Promoting sustainable practices and collaboration by supporting village HCV/HCS conservation efforts, testing and strengthening the National Dashboard for traceability and legality, and fostering national and regional exchanges.
Commodities:
More infos
Coming soon
Coming soon
Region:

Provinces of Orellana and Sucumbíos

Target group:

Smallholder farmers, women, indigenous people and youth

Key activities:
  • Promoting Multi Stakeholder Dialogues
  • Improving traceabilty systems
Commodities:
More infos
Region:

Xingu territory, State of Pará

Target group:

Family farmers

Key activities:
  • Improve market access; value creation and access to finance
  • Integrate farmers into tracability systems
Commodities:
More infos
Global activities
More infos