Abstract
Agroforestry systems (AFS) represent an alternative to the current agricultural model, based on monoculture, mechanization, and intensive use of agrochemicals. The aim of this study was to characterize existing AFS in the Southern region of Brazil and understand how their forestry certification process is conducted by the official governmental body (SEMA-RS). Interviews were carried out with the owners of five AFS and one technical visit was made to SEMA-RS. Changes in production model resulted from a process of raising farmers’ awareness, which was observed when the main reason mentioned by farmers for implementing AFS is to ensure a healthier life quality. Another reason mentioned is that this system is economically and environmentally feasible and complies with current legislation. On the other hand, SEMA-RS facilitated the certification process by developing a simplified and quicker modality for AFS. The support of technicians and associations helps by providing access to information and to a successful production. This study confirms the effectiveness of AFS and the need to further their visibility so that they are implemented in other locations, especially in degraded areas, thus contributing with environmental preservation and with improving the health of the population, from farmers to consumers.
Highlights
Agricultural production is based on family farming, it follows the conventional system, which is predominant throughout the country and the world (IBGE, 2010)
Since the mid-1980s, the owner of agroforestry systems (AFS)-A has invested in non-conventional citrus
The choice for implementing AFS is the result of a change in awareness caused by the difficulty to compete in the market and by the choice of a healthier lifestyle, in compliance with environmental legislation
Summary
Agricultural production is based on family farming, it follows the conventional system, which is predominant throughout the country and the world (IBGE, 2010). It has led to the loss of large areas with natural vegetation cover and has compromised Brazilian biomes (Ramos et al, 2009), compelling small-scaled landowners to abandon the activity and move to urban centers (Dal Soglio, 2016) In face of this scenario, it is of the essence to search for more sustainable alternatives using natural resources (Wedig, 2009), such as agroforestry systems (AFS), which associate food production with the preservation of natural resources. They comprise agricultural production systems that consider independent ecological processes for a sustainable production, as they ensure optimal soil conditions (Gliessman, 2000), and help to restore the native forest patrimony and to recover degraded areas (May & Trovatto, 2008). They comply with environmental legislation concerning the recovery of permanent protection areas (APP) or legal reserves (RL) (Quoos, 2009)
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