The Paresi people were facing rising deaths in the community, an infant malnutrition crisis, and the real possibility of extinction, which all started to change when the indigenous people of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso embraced modern agriculture.
Located in the south-west portion of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, the Paresi region supports the lives of over 3,000 people today, and the population has been steadily rising since the indigenous people began farming, Paresi community leaders shared during a visit to their farms as part of a press tour hosted by Aprosoja (the Brazilian Soybean Producers Association).
AgTechNavigator met with Arnaldo Zunizakae, president of Copihanama, Genilso Andre, president of Copiparesi, and other community members. Copihanama and Copiparesi are two co-operatives working with the Paresi and other indigenous communities.
Over the last several decades, the Paresi people rebuilt their community by growing soy, corn, pinto beans, mung beans, and other crops with modern agricultural methods, representatives shared. Currently, the Paresi people farm on 3% of their total land, with plans to cap production at 5%, with the rest being dedicated to nature preserves.
The Paresi people’s long journey to become farmers
The Paresi people’s journey to become farmers was not easy, as they faced government and non-government agencies’ opposition and some opposition from their own community, leaders shared.
The Paresi people started farming on small plots. When it came to purchase agriculture equipment and crop inputs to expand operations, they did not have collateral to finance the expansion, since they were farming on indigenous land, community representatives explained.
The Paresi people do not have the same access to Brazil’s agricultural plan (Plano Safro) or international funding, which makes financing operations harder, they explained. Brazil’s 1988 constitution also forbids outside producers to farm or lease agricultural land in indigenous territories.
This inspired the community to enter into an eight-year agreement with local farmers to teach the Paresi people how to farm on their land, with profits being split 50-50 between the two parties, representatives shared.
After eight years, the Paresi people still did not have enough money to fully fund their operations, so they shifted to a barter system, where their products were used as collateral for agricultural expenses, they added.
Paresi farmers also face challenges when selling their crops on the international market, as buyers held misconceptions about what farming on indigenous lands and reservations meant, they explained.
The Paresi’s journey to becoming farmers was not easy, but the community is seeing the fruits of their labour in increased standard of living, food security, and most importantly, indigenous people returning to their lands.
This article is part of a series featuring on-the-ground insight from the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. To learn more about what is happening in Mato Grosso, click on the below articles:
- Brazil’s ag boom: Can the country overcome logistical challenges to sustain growth?
- Food, feed, fuel: Bioethanol giant Inpasa boosts DDGS, energy production
- ‘A very tough moment,’ Brazil’s ag sector navigates geopolitics, financial pressures to grow
- Farmers & firefighters: Brazil’s ag sector works to stomp out fire threat with tech, collaboration
