The initiative takes place in the central part of the Brazilian semi-arid region. Due to climatic irregularities, this region has a high risk of losses of rainfall-dependent crops, with low and poorly distributed rainfall over time and space. Soil conditions are also varied; most are shallow and contain little organic matter. Combined with high temperatures, the conditions for retention and storage of water in soils are poor.

The Association of Agroecological Farmers of the Araripe Territory (ECOARARIPE) was created in 2012 with 11 groups of farming families and has 428 active members in 48 groups of agroecological farming families, organized by geographical proximity, covering all 10 municipalities in the territory of Araripe. It generates and disseminates knowledge obtained in concrete initiatives involving 48 productive groups. The products are differentiated cultivation of cotton, with cultivation in consortia, processing, and marketing to companies that work in fair and just trade.

The inputs used in the initiative come from the farming families and their groups, which own the Creole seed bank and produce their fertilizers. The cotton is usually processed (cores taken and plume packaged) by collective effort in which members of the productive groups participate. The consortia also product corns, beans, pumpkins, sorghum, etc. that are consumed by families, and the surplus is sold in the communities and in local and territorial agroecology markets.

Cotton consortia with agri-food crops have enabled significant advances in the transition processes of traditional and conventional agriculture to agroecological standards. This has led to environmental, social, and economic benefits such as enhanced soil fertility, the establishment of a Creole seed bank, crop diversification, etc.

The initiative develops a holistic view of agroecosystems and their relations with traditional and academic knowledge. This increased emphasis on agroecosystem management, with soil as a basic element and conservation and improvement techniques such as level planting, incorporation of plant remains fertilization trenches with manure-based biofertilizers, and planting of legumes.

This fact sheet is produced as part of the Avaclim project, which aims to create the necessary conditions for the deployment of agroecology in dryland areas. The international solidarity association CARI coordinates the Avaclim project while the Caatinga is in charge of its implementation in Brazil.