Reviving Traditional Farming: A Quiet Revolution in Brazil’s Bahia Region
In the lush landscapes of Brazil’s Bahia region, a quiet yet impactful transformation is underway. This area of the Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot and one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems, is witnessing a return to sustainable agricultural practices.
Farmers in Bahia are reintroducing cabruca—an age-old method of cultivating cocoa trees under the natural canopy of native flora. This approach is not only bringing back biodiversity but also rejuvenating degraded lands and connecting fragmented forest areas. The project seeks to support 3,000 cocoa farmers and aims to enhance or restore approximately 1.85 million hectares of cabruca systems, potentially averting 3.7 million metric tons of carbon emissions.
Lessons from Côte d’Ivoire: A Model for Sustainable Cocoa Production
This innovative blend of tradition and modernity isn’t confined to Brazil. In Côte d’Ivoire, a parallel project funded by the Green Climate Fund, and executed by the Food and Agriculture Organization alongside the Ivorian government, is promoting deforestation-free cocoa production. Since its inception in 2022, it has positively impacted 3,577 individuals, rejuvenated over 700 hectares of forests, and converted nearly 3,448 hectares of cocoa fields into agroforestry systems.
The initiative has yielded impressive outcomes: improved cocoa quality, healthier ecosystems, and strengthened community ties. These case studies illustrate that empowering farmers with sustainable practices can transform deforestation legacies into opportunities for ecological regeneration.
Investing in Agriculture: A Path to Climate Resilience
Smart climate investment is evident in these efforts, as they simultaneously support farmers, conserve forests, and reduce emissions. Yet, agriculture remains underfunded, receiving a mere 4% of total climate-related development finance in 2023, according to an upcoming FAO report. This underinvestment in a sector crucial for emission reduction, hunger prevention, and community protection represents a significant missed opportunity.
With around 1.3 billion people relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, neglecting agrifood systems is not only inequitable but also a lost chance to bolster resilience and secure a sustainable future.
Global Climate Goals and the Role of Agrifood Systems
The recent COP29 summit in Baku set a new financial target: $300 billion annually for developing nations, with an aim to increase total climate finance to $1.3 trillion per year by 2035. However, unless a substantial portion is directed towards food and agriculture, these goals may remain unfulfilled.
As the world looks to COP30 in the Amazon, forests present a logical starting point. Brazil is leading the way with its Tropical Forests Forever Facility, rewarding nations for forest conservation, with the Brazilian government committing $1 billion to initiate the fund at COP30.
The Urgent Need to Address Deforestation
Despite a decline in global deforestation over the past 30 years, over 4 million hectares of forest are lost annually, according to the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment. This is too significant to overlook if we aim to meet climate and biodiversity objectives.
Preventing wildfires is crucial, but comprehensive strategies are needed to keep forests intact. These include land restoration and providing sustainable livelihood options for forest-dependent communities. Productive, profitable land around forests offers the best defense against deforestation, with each investment yielding multiple benefits: reduced emissions, enhanced food security, and invigorated rural economies.
Empowering Farmers: A Solution for Global Challenges
Investments in agrifood solutions that empower farmers benefit everyone—people, the planet, and the climate. Yet, small-scale farmers, responsible for producing a third of the world’s food, receive minimal global climate finance. Unlocking their potential could be a swift, effective way to adapt to climate change, cut emissions, and feed the growing population.
In Mongolia’s eastern steppes, a project by the FAO is reviving over 11,000 hectares of cropland using no-till farming and intercropping. This not only restores productivity but also protects ecosystems. Meanwhile, 845,000 hectares of pasturelands are recovering from overgrazing, as herding communities turn cashmere into sustainable luxury fiber, boosting incomes and cutting carbon emissions by an estimated six million tons.
Investing in more resilient food systems is proven effective, but scaling up is essential. Food and agriculture are often seen as high-risk, low-return sectors—a misconception that must be corrected. Smarter monitoring can direct funds to small farms, granting them access to the global carbon market. Countries need backing to develop investment-ready, Paris-aligned pipelines that channel climate finance where it’s most needed. With robust data, clear incentives, and strong policies, we can ensure that climate finance reaches those closest to the land, unlocking the full potential of food and agriculture for climate progress.
The Imperative for Climate Finance in Agriculture
Climate finance supporting agriculture yields triple benefits: mitigation, adaptation, and food security. However, overlooking the sector squanders the best opportunity for lasting change. COP30 must elevate food systems from the periphery to the heart of climate action. As the cocoa farmers of Bahia demonstrate, empowering those who cultivate the land is key to securing a sustainable future for our planet.
Original Story at time.com