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In the South West of Brazil, not far from the world-famous waterfalls of Iguaçu, the small town of Capanema directly borders the large biosphere reserve of Iguaçu. About half of the 20,000 inhabitants live inland on small farms. The climate is subtropical and the landscape is characterised by small wooded hills, little streams and small-scale, diversified agriculture.
The decision to abandon agrochemistry as far back as 20 years ago, was also a combined attempt by the small farmers to solve some fundamental problems of the farming communities in the region; namely impoverishment and migration. Options to work outside farming are limited in Capanema. Many prefer to migrate to São Paulo or Curitiba. However, it is by no means an easy task to eke out a living as an unskilled worker in one of Brazil's big cities and many end up in the large favelas of these gigantic cities. Others hoping for a better life may join the Landless Workers' Movement and leave their farm. More often than not these dreams are shattered, and people often quickly find themselves in an even worse situation than before.
Fair trade of organically produced soya with small producers opens up new prospects for the region's future. Or, as one farmer said: "Today we not only get a better price for our products, we can also be proud of ourselves, because townspeople who may have once look down on us are now grateful and our organic products are perceived to be almost a medicine."
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