Farmers Clubs in Brasil

Since 2013, Humana Brasil implements the program called Farmers’ Clubs (FC). The overall aim of the program is to empower small scale local, family farmers to overcome poverty in a collective, all-embracing and solidary effort that includes strengthening their own knowledge and forces and gain influence and control on external politics, economic and productive powers. By “farmers”, FC program refers to both men and women, rural entrepreneurs, fishermen and shellfish collectors.

Key quantifiable indicators of the program output: (1) farmer families reached by the FC program – 3575 families in 2021; (2) farmers engaged in community associations and municipal programs – 1370, (3) increase in income at food production, (4) community associations supported in their quest for local development and environment – 20, (5) municipal support for fishers – 83 municipalities, (6) workshop, seminars, and events – 616 workshops and seminars (7) women in leadership positions in local and municipal level organizations – 135, (8) farmer visits and training events – 3059.

In 2021, the program comprised five local FC projects: Mais Gestão, Bahia Pesco, Sul da Bahia, Rio Doce and Caatinga Sustentavel. FC Rio Doce and FC Caatinga work together primarily with families, FC Mais Gestão, Bahia Pesca and Sul da Bahia work primarily with farmer organizations.

Due to the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 was a challenging year. The relaxation of sanitary restrictions at the end of 2020, also the national elections, end of the year voyages and more frequent gatherings, a sluggish vaccination start, all together combined resulted in the exponential COVID-19 surge over the first four months of 2021. The pandemic peaked in April with over four thousand people dying a day. The force majeure caused delays in the preplanned activities, but less as might have been expected based on the magnitude of the crisis. Online meetings and webinars were already a normality. One of the main achievements of the year was to maintain health and production even under the developing of the coronavirus crises. Some activities exceeded the planned number.

Expected impact of the program

  • Reduction of extreme poverty through long-term and sustainable building capacity and wealth creation through the FC program;
  • More food production among farmers for own consumption, thereby ensuring stronger resilience of communities against food insecurity;
  • More women empowered to take leading roles in the fight against poverty and hunger;
  • More women farmers engaged in animal husbandry and contributing to nutrition enhancement and additional income;
  • More farmers practicing environment friendly farming methods, saving the environment;
  • Greater gender equality at household and in community circles;
  • Increased household income through increased and diversified sales;
  • Increased capacity to plan and budget for agriculture production and family economy among farmers;
  • Improved health levels through nutrition enhancement (quality and quantity) and more competent women.