Project Description
Access to native seeds is essential to the sustainability of smallholder farming and the livelihoods of rural families in the semiarid region of Brazil. Associação Escola Família Agrícola Jaguaribana (AEFAJA) works with smallholder farmers along the Jaguaribe River valley, in the state of Ceará, Brazil, to strengthen food security and resilience to drought by rescuing seeds native to the region, constructing community seed banks, and creating a seed exchange network. At the IAF, we support community-led solutions to expand economic opportunity in Brazil. AEFAJA’s activities promote smallholder agriculture and ensure meaningful opportunities for communities to thrive.
Project: | Location: | Years active: | IAF grant funding: | Counterpart commitment: | Direct beneficiaries: | Indirect beneficiaries: | Program areas: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sowing Sustainability: historical and cultural rescue of traditional seeds in the Jaguaribe Valley – CE | Brazil | 2020 – 2023 | $243,543 | $201,066 | 1,220 individuals | 6,100 individuals | Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Natural Resource Management |
Talk about community-led development!
Recent News and Stories
4 Lessons from 40+ Years of Grassroots Engagement: Marcy Kelley’s Exit Interview
On the eve of her retirement after 17 years at the IAF, we asked Marcy Kelley to reflect on the lessons she has learned from her four decades of international grassroots development experience. Before joining the IAF, Marcy spent 26 years facilitating grassroots development with organizations including the Peace Corps. Read more ›
The IAF and Fine Chocolate Industry Association: Partnering to Help Cocoa Producers Improve Their Lives
Latin American cocoa farmers are reeling from the combined impact of COVID-19 and recent hurricanes. We are teaming up with the Fine Chocolate Industry Association to help them restart their livelihoods and build strong networks.
Staying Connected During Quarantine
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened pre-existing inequalities experienced by vulnerable groups. Our grantee partners have found that increasing access to technology helps address these issues, connecting people to jobs, education, and social support.