This project was carried out in the region of Pernambuco known as Sertão and in the north of Bahia in order to train rural leaders, extension workers and agricultural technicians in silviculture of multiple-use forest species and agroforestry systems, as well as notions of ecology and the environment. Through courses and training, agents were trained to develop and implement a sustainable management plan for the caatinga area in small and medium rural properties in the Brazilian semiarid regi

Status: Completed     Start date: Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2008

In Brazil, milk production is practiced by more than one million farmers, mostly smallholders, who have the most important sources of feed for the herd in pasture and forage grass cropping for cut-and-carry. One of the major demands of farmers is on improved forage cultivars for cutting and grazing that can meet the nutritional needs of herds throughout the year. Elephantgrass, in addition to its superior performance in the establishment of cut-and-carry plantations (i.e. green chopped, hay, and

Status: Completed     Start date: Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2007

A few years ago the carmine cochineal was introduced in the Northeast of Brazil, and its population slowly expanded across the forage cactus plantations of that region. With the occurrence of suitable growth conditions during the drought of 2012, such scale insect reached the condition of pest, and decimated or compromised the productivity of thousands of hectares of forage cactus. It is interesting to note that the long period without drought influenced farmers to neglect the renovation of thei

Status: Completed     Start date: Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2015

Artisanal cheeses are traditionally produced from raw milk. In the State of Minas Gerais they are regarded as intangible heritage of humanity by the Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage, with the following two regions of the State being awarded a geographic indication label: Canastra and Serro. These indications have been pursued by other regions producing artisanal cheeses. Currently, their sale is permitted by official bodies, but their production safely to the consumer is st

Status: Completed     Start date: Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2019

Artisanal cheeses are traditionally produced from raw milk. In the State of Minas Gerais they are regarded as intangible heritage of humanity by the Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage, with the following two regions of the State being awarded a geographic indication label: Canastra and Serro. These indications have been pursued by other regions producing artisanal cheeses. Currently, their sale is permitted by official bodies, but their production safely to the consumer is st

Status: Completed     Start date: Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2016

Brazil’s sugarcane sector plays an important role in the national economy. The country is the world’s biggest producer of sugarcane and sugar, and second in ethanol production, which contributes positively to the trade balance. In the last 15 years, the crop area has expanded tremendously, occupying so called “expansion” production areas, which differ from the traditional ones mainly in rainfall rates, leading producers to adopt irrigation. Specifically in the Northeast region, crops have migrat

Status: Completed     Start date: Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2014

The availability of water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use is of fundamental importance to the social and economic development of the arid and semi-arid regions. In the Brazilian semi-arid region, agricultural exploration is becoming more and more dependent on irrigation. Unfortunately, with the increase of irrigated areas, associated with the inadequate management of soil and water, the progressive increase of soil salinisation levels has been observed. In addition, the population

Status: Completed     Start date: Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2011