New law aims to stimulate food production in Brazilian cities

Increased local food production, improved transportation, job creation, and enhanced food distribution to low-income families are among the potential benefits of the National Policy for Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture, signed into law by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on July 26. Experts agree that while the policy has significant potential, its success will rely on public incentives and effective coordination among federal, state, and municipal governments.

The newly passed law defines Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture (AUP in the original Portuguese acronym) as agricultural and livestock activities conducted within urban areas and their outskirts. The goals of AUP include enhancing food and nutritional security for vulnerable urban populations, creating alternative income sources and job opportunities, and supporting family farming, cooperatives, associations, and solidarity economy organizations. Additionally, the policy aims to integrate with supply programs and public procurement for schools, nurseries, hospitals, and other public institutions.

Jaqueline Ferreira, Research Director at Instituto Escolhas, outlines the sector's significant growth potential. “We’re discussing agriculture that already occurs in cities but remains largely invisible. Major cities and capitals across Brazil have such initiatives. However, because agriculture has traditionally been linked to rural areas, urban producers often lack access to public policies and support, as they are not recognized as agricultural establishments,” she explained. She noted that key challenges include accessing credit and formalizing these enterprises.

Potential

Faced with the lack of attention in recent decades, the sector has significant potential for growth. Research by Instituto Escolhas indicates that if just 5% of the identified potential Urban Agriculture areas were developed in three Brazilian cities—Curitiba, Recife, and Rio de Janeiro—approximately 300,000 people could be fed annually from the locally produced food.

In Curitiba, the capital of Paraná state, developing new production units could benefit 96 percent of the city's population living in poverty. However, achieving this would require significant investment and targeted incentives.

Studies by the institution reveal that in Belém, Pará state, Urban Agriculture could supply vegetables to 1.7 million people—exceeding the city's current population of 1.5 million.

The institute's director cites among the main benefits of the legislation the generation of employment and income, increased food security in the most vulnerable peripheral areas, a reduction in food waste and production costs, since food will be transported to nearby locations.

In the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo alone, organic farming in peri-urban areas could create 180,000 jobs, according to simulations based on current pasture lands, without encroaching on protected environmental areas.

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Progress

Leonardo de Freitas Gonçalves, a PhD candidate in Geography and the Environment at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-RJ), views the legislation as a significant and necessary step forward, especially given the growth of urban agriculture around the world, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

“The policy is a crucial initiative, not only for promoting urban and peri-urban agriculture but also for highlighting the efforts of those involved in city-based food production, who often go unnoticed by both residents and municipal authorities,” he observes.

During his doctoral research, Leonardo Gonçalves studied a community garden in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, established by residents of a housing estate facing financial and food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was one of the places that most impressed me in guaranteeing the social function of property in a previously idle and even degraded area. There is still a lot of progress to be made, and legislative advances can contribute to the expansion of similar initiatives,” he notes.

Cooperation

Jaqueline Ferreira emphasizes that for this vision to become a reality, cooperation among all levels is essential, particularly between the federal government and local councils. “Without a strong federal effort and a robust promotion program, it will be challenging for local entities to independently develop urban agriculture initiatives and operations,” she explains. Municipal governments must also collaborate with businesses and interested groups, facilitating land access and forming strategic partnerships.

According to the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Farming, BRL 7 million has been invested in the past year to support healthy food production initiatives in urban areas and promote community gardens across various states.

The ministry also reports that the new legislation promotes the establishment of open-air markets and other direct sales methods. It also calls for the creation of special credit lines for urban and peri-urban farmers, providing “crucial financial support for investment in production, processing, and marketing.”