ProVeg Brazil Tests Income Case for Replacing Cattle With Agroforestry

ProVeg Brazil is promoting plant-based agroforestry as a more lucrative and sustainable alternative to traditional livestock farming. Through their Cultiva Project, they are supporting farmers in transitioning from animal production to crop-based systems, offering guidance on agronomy, finance, legal issues, and marketing tailored to each property. Research conducted by ProVeg Brazil and Brazil's Agroecology Cooperative Organization suggests that switching to agroforestry can increase net income for rural producers by up to 1,525% in certain cases, while also creating more jobs across the supply chain.

The findings are based on the high greenhouse gas emissions and land degradation associated with livestock farming in Brazil, highlighting the potential of plant-based agroforestry to mitigate these environmental impacts. A pilot program in Paraná is already underway, with one family farm transitioning from dairy and beef cattle production to a mixed agroforestry system. ProVeg Brazil has also released a practical guide for producers and technical advisers interested in exploring this income-generating and sustainable agricultural model.