Brazil | Paraguay: The right to land: Misereor

Huge soya monocultures are driving farming families from their fields. Exploitation is robbing entire regions of their livelihoods.

But your donation makes Misereor’s work possible all over the world! Here, it supports communities in Brazil and Paraguay in defending their land and ensuring their long-term survival in their homeland.

Continent

Latin & Central America

Thematic focus:

Promoting sustainable agriculture

What began in Brazil has continued in Paraguay: more and more farming families are being driven from the fertile land they have farmed for generations – displaced by large-scale industrial plantations for the export of soya. On these vast monocultures, genetically modified seeds are treated with aggressive agricultural toxins.

The consequences for neighbouring smallholder farms are devastating: the pesticides are poisoning the soil, wells and people. Severe skin conditions, circulatory problems and an alarmingly high number of miscarriages are part of the bitter daily reality for the affected village communities.

The smallholders receive seedlings for growing fruit and vegetables from the project's tree nursery.

Many Guaraní are now enthusiastic beekeepers and earn an additional income.

In the project, the smallholders learn about environmentally friendly farming methods.

Small Guaraní farmers receive help against land grabbing and the poisoning of their habitat by pesticides and chemical fertilisers.

The church helps disadvantaged people to represent their interests.

The mango jelly sells well and generates income for poor families.

The frugal goats cope well in the dry climate and ensure a sufficient income.

Anyone who has to stand up to powerful corporations needs reliable allies. That is why, as part of this project, Misereor’s partner organisations are providing those affected with experienced lawyers. They help them to document environmental crimes. They also support them during hearings and court proceedings.

In Brazil, Misereor’s partner IRPAA is demonstrating how communities can stand up to corporate power with tireless support. It is also showing what helps families to survive on their land despite the increasing drought: Precious water is collected using cisterns, rainwater retention basins and innovative underground dams. In agriculture, the communities now rely on climate-adapted seeds and plant hardy fruit varieties, such as mangoes. In small-scale cooperative farms, it is mainly women who process the harvest into high-quality jams and juices. Through fair trade channels – some of which extend as far as Europe – they secure a stable income.

Ecological transition: Families and communities are adapting their farming methods – to conserve resources and adapt to climate change.
Reforestation: Native tree and crop species protect the soil and create a favourable microclimate.
Strong cooperatives: Processing and marketing groups ensure a fair income for family farms.
Legal protection: Families and communities threatened by land grabbing receive strong support.

Would you like to find out more about our charity projects? Then read our magazine “Weiter.wirken” now. The magazine about and for the people who make a difference at Misereor.

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30 €

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400 €

€ *

For example, 30 euros can fund hardy saplings for reforestation and agroecological fruit growing.

When making a donation by bank transfer, please quote the reference ‘S63405 Brazil/Paraguay: Right to Land’ in the payment reference field. This lets us know which project is particularly close to your heart; your contribution will be channelled as a general donation towards this work and Misereor’s overall global mission.

To ensure that your donation has an impact in the long term, Misereor uses a small proportion for important administration an related tasks. This way, we make sure that projects are selected carefully and implemented responsibly and that their effects are regularly monitored. Should it not be possible to use your donation as planned, we will use it where it is currently needed most.

Our local partner organisations

Diocese of Coronel Oviedo

Misereor has been working with the diocese of Coronel Oviedo in Paraguay since the early 1990s. To ensure that small farming families can continue to live off their land, it helps them to establish a new, sustainable agriculture - with information, infrastructure and very practical support.