ProVeg Brazil has announced a project to support farmers wanting to transition from livestock farming to plant-based food production.

The initiative, called the Cultiva Project, will involve providing rural Brazilian producers with agricultural, legal and marketing support as they migrate from animal production systems to plant-based agroforestry models.

Agroforestry systems combine trees or arboreal plants with agricultural crops, integrating these elements in the same space in a planned and sustainable process. These systems can promote greater biodiversity, improved land use, soil health, conservation of natural resources and environmental resilience.

According to ProVeg, agroforestry systems have the capacity to generate up to six times more income per hectare than livestock. They can contribute to the production of a wide range of foods, improving the food security of farming families and their communities.

Additionally, they can play a role in combatting deforestation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aligning economic production with more environmentally responsible management practices.

Brazil is one of the largest producers of animal products globally, with livestock farming associated with 90% of deforestation in the Amazon as well as more than half of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite having one-third of its territory occupied by agriculture, of which 58% are pastures, Brazil still faces challenges in supplying natural and minimally processed foods to its own population.

Aline Baroni, executive director of ProVeg Brazil, said: “We are offering, completely free of charge, technical support in the areas of agronomy, law and marketing for producers who are motivated to start producing plant-based foods. It is an investment in the future of family farming, because we know how important it is to guarantee food security and promote healthy eating in Brazil.”

Through a public notice, the project will select rural producers who currently operate with animal production of any type, such as raising cattle for meat or milk, poultry for meat or eggs, or pigs.

An individualised transition plan will be drawn up, with full participation of the producer, offering specialised technical support for a minimum period of nine months for the implementation of at least one hectare of agroforestry on each property.

Baroni added: “Our goal is to accelerate the transition to more sustainable plant-rich food systems. With this project, we seek not only to reduce the environmental impact of animal production, but also to offer rural producers a new income prospect.”

Interested producers can register online through the Cultiva Project’s website until 2 July 2025.