The AGCO Agriculture Foundation a private organization dedicated to alleviating hunger through sustainable agricultural development, has announced an innovative partnership with the Instituto de Conservação Ambiental, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Brazil. This collaboration aims to advance regenerative agriculture practices among farmers in Brazil through a significant funding initiative.
The Foundation has committed a grant of USD 300,000 over the next 24 months to support TNC Brazil’s efforts to address environmental and agricultural challenges. The grant proposal was one of two selected as part of the Foundation’s 2023 Call for Applications for Grant (CAG). By fostering sustainable practices, the initiative seeks to improve farmers’ productivity, restore degraded landscapes, and protect vital ecosystems that produce clean water and absorb carbon emissions.
“As the Foundation continues its commitment to support programs and initiatives that contribute to sustainably feeding the world, we see a great opportunity to strengthen farmers’ knowledge and ability to implement sustainable agriculture practices,” said Roger Batkin, Board Chair of the AGCO Agriculture Foundation. “Through our partnership with TNC Brazil, we will work with farmers and their communities to improve soil health, increase yields, conserve nature, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Key Areas of Focus
With the Foundation’s financial support, TNC Brazil will concentrate on two major areas of intervention:
- Sustainable Agriculture Training
A demonstration site in the Nova Xavantina region, operated by the Federal University of Mato Grosso, will serve as a hub for hands-on sustainable agricultural training. This initiative will provide farmers with essential knowledge and tools to implement regenerative practices effectively on their land. - Technical Assistance Program
TNC Brazil plans to establish a robust technical assistance program in collaboration with local partners. This program will train agricultural graduates, including agronomists, to provide on-the-ground support to farmers. This approach ensures that the knowledge imparted through the demonstration site reaches farms directly, empowering farmers to adopt sustainable practices tailored to their specific needs.
Over the course of the project, TNC Brazil aims to assist more than 30 farms, covering approximately 15,000 hectares of degraded pastures. Additionally, the program will train at least 50 field agricultural technicians and 15 graduate students, creating a network of skilled professionals capable of driving long-term change in agricultural practices.
Addressing Degraded Pastures in the Cerrado
The Cerrado, one of Brazil’s most critical ecosystems, faces significant challenges due to deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices. Restoring degraded pastures in this region is central to TNC Brazil’s conservation efforts.
“Restoring degraded pastures in the Cerrado is one of the key opportunities we have to advance on our conservation outcomes since it helps to improve livelihoods while restoring soils, improving water systems in agricultural fields, and helping restore soil health,” explained Julia Mangueira, Cerrado Director at TNC Brazil.
Healthy pastures not only boost agricultural productivity but also enhance soil quality, improve water retention, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By rehabilitating these areas, farmers can sustainably increase yields while contributing to broader environmental conservation goals.
Scaling Up for Long-Term Impact
While the project’s immediate goals focus on training and restoring 15,000 hectares, TNC Brazil has ambitious plans for scaling up. Over the next five years, the organization aims to expand its technical assistance program to benefit up to 5,000 farmers across Brazil. This expansion will amplify the project’s impact, enabling more communities to embrace regenerative agriculture practices.
The collaboration between the AGCO Agriculture Foundation and TNC Brazil exemplifies a holistic approach to sustainable agricultural development. By addressing environmental challenges and supporting farmers’ livelihoods, the partnership underscores the potential for regenerative agriculture to transform food systems and conserve natural resources.
This initiative aligns with the AGCO Agriculture Foundation’s broader mission to combat hunger and promote sustainable farming. Through investments like this, the Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating a more resilient and equitable global food system.
By fostering innovation and collaboration, the AGCO Agriculture Foundation and TNC Brazil are paving the way for a future where agriculture supports both people and the planet.
