Silva Agroforestry

It's always great to talk about how our journey with Agroforestry began! We started by participating in agroforestry collective efforts in other communities, assisting other farmers. My brothers Gilvan and Gilberto attended an agroforestry course in Mucuri on Raphael Cavalcante's property with Namastê. From this course, they brought back their experiences. Back home, we became passionate about it! We began to learn more about what Agroforestry is all about. From then on, we participated in all the collective efforts in the region. During a collective effort in the Porto do Campo community in Alcobaça, we met Bruno, who worked at Polímata and asked us if we wanted to create an Agroforestry system at our home. We accepted immediately! After its implementation, some time passed, and we began, along with Polímata, to put the Agroforestry into practice. Initially, we faced a lot of criticism. People said we would only plant "trees." But we didn't let these things discourage us, and we persevered. On August 22, 2019, the collective effort finally took place at our home. It was a wonderful day with incredible people. I thank everyone from the Arara Community who has participated up to now. Since then, we have been improving our management techniques, soil preparation, fertilization, planting, and also the values and concepts that make up an Agroforestry system. Today, it's been 3 years, and our Agroforestry system is matured. Our parents shine with happiness for our achievement because now we have a full plate with abundant and healthy food on the table. We have even been able to produce some seedlings and sell or exchange any surplus.