Agroecology can delay effects of climate crisis on Brazilian crops
Excessive heat is impacting soybean, corn, and rice crops in southern Brazil, as well as coffee and fruit plantations in the southeast. Each year, climate change poses a growing threat to food production.
According to climatologist Francis Lacerda, a researcher at the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco, agroecology strategies can help slow these effects and mitigate the risk of food insecurity—at least for now. “There are practices that can still reduce these impacts. I say ‘still’ because soon, they may no longer be effective,” warns the expert.
The first step is reforestation. “A common practice in agroecology is intercropping. You plant a fruit tree alongside legumes, beans, or corn—everything together. These plants interact in ways that benefit each other. Some have deep taproots that access water underground, while others do not. Plants that struggle with intense radiation thrive when grown alongside larger trees that provide shade. We need to reforest and implement this agroforestry system,” explains the expert.
She adds that crop diversification enhances soil fertility and protection while reducing the risk of pests and diseases. “This approach helps eliminate the need for pesticides and provides farmers with both environmental and financial benefits, including lower production costs and a more diverse harvest, which reduces economic risks associated with extreme weather conditions,” Lacerda states.
Changes surprise farmers
The climatologist notes that most of the food consumed by Brazilian families is produced by family farmers, who are increasingly surprised by changing climate conditions.
"They can no longer follow their traditional practices of planting at one time and harvesting at another. Typically, during heat waves, the population of more resilient organisms in the ecosystem, such as insects, fungi, and bacteria, increases significantly, often leading to the destruction of crops," she emphasizes.
For this reason, Lacerda also advocates for public policies that promote the implementation of technologies enabling communities to capture and store their own water and generate their own energy, thereby reducing their vulnerability to climate impacts.
“These communities should be empowered to produce their own food under these conditions and reforest their land—it's feasible, cost-effective, and the farmers are eager to do it,” she emphasizes.
Although not yet widespread, the incidence of certain plant species endemic to Brazilian biomes is declining, according to the climatologist, "including those adapted to thrive in dry and hot regions."
Water in the roots
“The umbuzeiro, for example, is a key plant in the semi-arid region. It is highly resilient and stores water in its roots to withstand droughts. However, umbuzeiro trees are disappearing from the landscape because they can no longer adapt to the changing climate conditions,” she explains.
The climatologist from the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco also suggests that these lessons can be applied to urban environments, “by reserving spaces within cities for food production, such as productive backyards and living pharmacies. However, this requires public policies that offer guidance and funding. Those with the means can purchase food, but without social justice, we cannot effectively combat climate change. We must explore innovative ways to ensure water, energy, and food security for both rural and urban populations,” she concludes.
