Family farming can produce food while also contributing to environmental conservation. In Paragominas, in the state of Pará, this transformation involves the organization of rural communities, access to technical assistance, and the collective development of alternatives to the use of fire in agricultural production. It is within this process that Maria Oenice—a family farmer, mother, and grandmother—serves as a leader, bringing together farmers in pursuit of better working conditions and a more sustainable relationship with the land.
As president of an association and general coordinator of the FCRP (Forum of Rural Communities of Paragominas), Maria Oenice helps mobilize representatives from 52 communities in the municipality. The organization brings together local leaders and seeks to strengthen dialogue among farming families, identify common needs, and expand their capacity to advocate for public policies and partnerships. To facilitate coordination across a vast and diverse territory, the communities were organized into five hubs, with quarterly meetings to discuss challenges and forward demands.
Before the arrival of technical assistance initiatives, many families worked without guidance on alternative production methods and conservation practices. Clearing new areas involved deforestation and the use of fire, while riverbanks and ravines were not always preserved. With technical support and the exchange of knowledge, some of the communities began to experiment with other ways of cultivating the land.
One such change is the adoption of fire-free farming, which allows for the production of flour without resorting to burning vegetation. According to Maria Oenice,
approximately 27 communities are supported by the technical assistance program, and the experience has encouraged other localities to learn about and adopt similar practices.
For the farmer, caring for the environment also means preserving the living conditions of rural families. “If we don’t protect it, we won’t have protection either,” she says.
The strengthening of community organizations also opens up opportunities for rural youth. With new techniques, training, and production opportunities, staying in the countryside may no longer be seen solely as an activity marked by physical exertion and a lack of prospects.
Despite these advances, the farmer emphasizes that greater support from the government is still needed. “Technical training and access to equipment suited to the different realities of communities, along with collective organization, are a fundamental part of this path: associations and forums help bring families and partners together and create solutions for shared needs,” she concludes.
*IPAM Communications Analyst
Suellen.nunes@ipam.org.br
