Climate change and impacts on family farming in the North and Northeast of Brazil

The starting point for this study was the consideration of future climate change scenarios and their uncertainties. In assessing the possible climate change scenarios and related impacts on family farming across Brazil’s North and Northeast regions, the main conclusion is that smallholder farmers will have to adapt to a world of increasing climate variability. Despite the lack of literature and more refined studies in Brazil, the paper attempts to present an overview of potential climate change impacts for a specific list of existing crops that are significant for family farming in the
North and Northeast of Brazil. Despite the negative future scenarios for many of the crops assessed, the study indicates that with early planning and innovative techniques, it is possible to reduce vulnerabilities and increase resilience, now and in the future.

The study assesses current problems affecting family rural producers in the selected regions—through the lens of the three dimensions of sustainable development: social, economic, and environmental—which could be intensified with climate change and/or extreme weather events, and indicates potential options for family farming to respond to the adverse impacts of climate change, including techniques and technologies.

 

Among the options, the study highlights that by means of agro-ecological and other sustainable approaches to agriculture, smallholder and small-scale family farmers could play an important role in offsetting elements of the present environmental crisis, as well as of those related to the threat of climate change.

As far as governance is concerned, regarding the existing institutions and public policies in the context of climate change in Brazil, it was found that the space for issues related to agriculture is quite limited, especially for family farming. Thus, to ensure that the interests of the sector are reflected in potential policies and regulations, including fundraising, the increased awareness and participation of the stakeholders in this sector are fundamental. Mindsets need to change, so that investments can be channelled to people in rural areas, who happen to be the poorest and most vulnerable, to reduce inequalities, especially by fighting poverty and ending hunger and malnutrition.