The sustainable farming practices of Brazilian farmers are gaining national attention, exemplified by the Covre family from Espírito Santo, who recently won the National Rural Producer Sustainable Award. Their methods highlight how environmental awareness can blend with agricultural productivity
Located on their seven-hectare property in Baixo Sossego, the Covre family's sustainability efforts include utilizing rainwater for irrigation, solar energy to power operations, and transforming waste products like fruit peels and seeds back to compost. This innovative approach has allowed them to reforest 15% of their land without sacrificing their crops. The family produces over 80,000 kilograms of fruit each year, including carambola, pitanga, graviola, and araçá-boi, the last being typical of Brazil's northern regions.
"All this care for nature has made the family stand out among over 120 Brazilian farmers with the best production practices tied to sustainability," reported TV Gazeta, illustrating how the Covres have prioritized environmental stewardship over generations.
Darinete Buss Nascimento, the manager at Sicob Itarana, visited the farm and noted, "When we came to their property, we saw their practices, like using the leftovers from fruits to create organic fertilizer and their effective water management, returning clean water back to nature." The Covre family’s decision to shift from traditional crops to fruit cultivation came from the realization of market demands and environmental consciousness.
Walter Covre and his children, Márcio and Marciel, worked tirelessly to restore water springs on their land, ensuring they responsibly use local water resources. Highlighting their commitment, Marciel stated, "We have the awareness not to abuse what God has provided us, which is water." They installed dry boxes to capture rainwater, feeding it back to the soil to prevent erosion and promote water springs.
Besides farming, the Covres have found additional financial success by transforming blemished fruits, which often go unsold, to fruit pulp. Five years ago, they began this initiative and now produce over 30,000 packs of 100 grams of pulp monthly. Marciel proudly noted, "We avoided wasting many of those products by processing them, protecting the environment and adding financial value to our family."
The family also engages with local partners, processing fruits they don’t cultivate, such as those from neighbors, to create additional products like chocolate. Márcio described their solar energy project, saying, "During the water crisis, we decided to install solar panels to save on costs and mitigate environmental impact. We now enjoy over 90% energy savings."
Another farming duo, Ana and Henrique Figueiredo, employed sustainable practices by eliminating pesticides and collaborating with bee populations to boost the productivity of their guava crops. Ana described the charm of bees working diligently around their one-hectare orchard of 400 guava trees, saying, "They have their homes intact nearby, where they can thrive, and they visit us every day, adding their enchanting buzz to the farm."
A study coordinated by several institutions, including the São Paulo Environment Secretariat and the University of São Paulo, identified the significant potential of bees to increase agricultural output, estimating the native bee populations could deliver about R$ 4.2 billion annually to the state's agriculture sector. Rafael Chaves, from the Environment Secretariate, remarked, "There's enormous potential for bees to contribute to agriculture, but we’re still only utilizing less than half of it." The study pointed out financial losses for farmers working far from native ecosystems, underscoring the cooperative relationship between bees and agricultural success.
By restoring native vegetation near farmland, the Figueiredos noticed substantial improvements, including larger guavas and boosted yields across their crops. They expanded operations to produce guava jam, jellies, cachaça, beer, and even plan to launch guava soda. Their agricultural transformation not only improved crop yields but also revived other plants, such as mango trees, which flourished with bees' help.
These stories shed light on the synergy between sustainable farming and environmental preservation, illustrating the urgent need for such practices within Brazilian agriculture. Walter Covre summarized this sentiment, declaring, "We understand now it's not just optional; it's necessary to care for our planet. With every effort, we can collectively improve our outcomes for the environment and our harvests."