36 / 192
[
] 36
sustainable use and conservation policies allows for a produc-
tive activity with low environmental impact.
The MMA promotes the Community and Family
Forest Management Federal Programme, with special
focus on ASDs and in partnership with NGOs such as
the Northeastern Plants Association and the Araripe
Foundation, and with financial support from development
institutions such as Caixa Econômica Federal and Banco
do Nordeste. More than 5,000 families have benefited in
an area of approximately 85,000 hectares, generating an
average monthly income supplement of US$70 per family.
The forest management activities in ASDs maintain an
area of 350,000 hectares, providing jobs and income for
over 7,000 farmers in dry periods and contributing to the
permanence of families in the countryside.
Case study: Baixa Grande
There are 115 farming families living in the Baixa Grande
settlement, city of Jati, Ceará State. They all benefit from
the Federal Programme of Community and Family Forest
Management. In an area of approximately 8,500 hectares,
agriculture and livestock are developed as main activities,
and forest management in a complementary way. The forest
area is divided into production plots ranging from 74 to187
hectares, in a 20-year production cycle.
The commercialization of this sustainable forest produc-
tion generated an average annual family income of
US$1,000 during the first year of implementation of the
programme. Now it brings an average income of US$2,000
per family per year. Sustainable forest management in Baixa
Grande settlement became an important instrument for
environmental management, promoting water, food and
energy security with benefits to biodiversity and vegeta-
tion cover. The testimony of José Rodrigues, President
of the Association of Settlement Baixa Grande, illustrates
the success and benefits of management practice for the
community: “The Forest Management Plan brought about
only good things to our association. Families that did not
have a fixed income or had low income, are now able to
guarantee their livelihoods with sustainable management.
To those people who already had any kind of small fixed
income, such as low retirement pensions, the wood produc-
tion provides an extra income and helps every month. After
the implementation of this project, there was a change
in people’s way of thinking with regard to deforestation.
Before that, there was much more illegal deforestation,
use of fire and other activities that are not allowed. Today,
there is more awareness about the need to preserve the
environment and respect environmental laws. Our commu-
nity is 100 per cent stronger.”
José Nilvaldo and Maria Aparecida dos Santos on their farm in rural Areal
Image: Mr. Ubirajara Machado
L
iving
L
and