In the semi-arid region of Bahia, Brazil the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is implementing polyculture, an innovative agricultural method to improve crop production and increase the income of families in the community of Uauá and surrounding areas.
Polyculture is a diversified multi-crop farming practice that focuses on the interaction of crop components. The technique matches plants that complement each other – one plant’s outputs are another plant’s inputs. For example, in some of ADRA’s polyculture fields in Bahia, cacti are planted in rows with other food producing plants to draw water to those.
"Studies have shown that polyculture protects and improves soil quality, improves crop resistance to pests, epidemics, and weeds, does not depend on chemicals, guarantees production even during drought, and provides stable yields over time," said Henrique Souza, an ADRA agronomist working with the project. "Furthermore, some of the plants we are using produce food for livestock, which prevent people from harvesting other cattlefood plants that are combating desertification," he continued.
The two-year pilot project, funded by the ACCENTUS Charitable Foundation through ADRA Switzerland, will train families in polyculture cultivation techniques, distribute appropriate seeds and plants to implement the techniques, and provide technical assistance. The project will be implemented in 10 villages and directly impact more than 1,000 people.
"This is a very dry region. Up to 80 percent of rain is lost by evaporation and non-absorption. Also, the residents in this region are some of the most economically challenged in the country," said Landerson Serpa Santana, regional executive director for ADRA Bahia.
A separate project funded by the Government of Finland through ADRA Finland already provided polyculture training to 200 families in Uauá.
ADRA is present in more than 120 countries providing individual and community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age or ethnicity.
Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org