JBS Fund for the Amazon launches project that could increase income in rural communities by 60 percent
The JBS Fund for the Amazon has just launched, in partnership with the socio-environmental organization Ecoporé and JBS Green Offices, the Restoration Showcases project, an innovative initiative that combines environmental restoration and socioeconomic development. The goal is to restore degraded areas on rural properties in Rondônia. In the long term, the initiative has the potential to leverage the restoration of more than 3,000 hectares of native vegetation, especially on rural properties in the livestock sector, and generate an increase of up to 60% in the income of the communities involved through the sale of native seeds.
The project was structured around the work of JBS's Green Offices, a company initiative that offers free technical, environmental, and managerial assistance to producers interested in environmental regularization and adopting best practices. Rural producers with valid Rural Environmental Registration (CAR) but with degraded areas requiring restoration were mapped. The JBS Fund for the Amazon finances the initiative, while Ecoporé is responsible for its operationalization: isolating the areas, sowing seeds using a mix of seeds, and conducting training workshops. The Green Offices monitor and guide the development of field initiatives.
Muvuca is a direct seeding technique based on a mixture of seeds from dozens of native species and green manure. Inspired by indigenous practices from the Xingu region, it ensures rapid soil coverage, fosters biodiversity, and promotes natural forest regeneration. The initiative also strengthens the economies of traditional communities by valuing the work of the Amazon Bioeconomy Seed Network (RESEBA), an initiative led by Ecoporé that comprises indigenous, quilombola, and family farmers. All are paid for the production and supply of seeds used in plant restoration, generating income, promoting social inclusion, and recognizing ancestral knowledge.
"The Restoration Showcases initiative aims to unite science, community engagement, and sustainability to create a replicable model of forest restoration, strengthening the region's bioeconomy and promoting more responsible production practices", says Lucas Scaracia, executive manager of the JBS Fund for the Amazon.
The project began with selected producers who committed to opening their properties so that other producers could learn about the technique and replicate it on their land.
"We work to ensure that each property we serve is not only a restored area, but also a space for learning and replication. Our goal is for each engaged producer to become a potential mobilizer. We believe that nature-based solutions, such as seed muvuca, are key to combining conservation and regional development, in addition to promoting the environmental regularization of properties, an essential element for the integrity of production chains and access to markets", says Marcelo Ferronato, CEO of Ecoporé.
The first workshop to present the project will be held in July, and seed planting is expected to begin between October and November. During this initial phase, the JBS Fund for the Amazon will invest more than R$200,000 in the initiative.
The Restoration Showcases initiative was created with a local focus but a long-term vision. In a conservative scenario, the project could boost the restoration of 100 to 300 hectares over ten years, utilizing up to 21 tons of native seeds. In a more expansive scenario, it could restore up to 3,000 hectares, using up to 210 tons of seeds, while maintaining the potential for an income increase of up to 60% for the communities involved.
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