Urban agriculture in Brazil: Possibilities and challenges for Santarém, eastern Amazonia
Thiago Almeida Vieira, Τhomas Panagopoulos
Abstract
Public policies implemented by the Brazilian government for the promotion of urban agriculture were examined. Urban agriculture contributes to combatting problems related to food security and environmental issues in cities. In Brazil, the Ministry of Social Development initiated the elaboration of a policy to support urban agriculture, having listened to different segments of society. Moreover, the Brazilian Senate intends to establish the National Policy of Urban Agriculture. A pilot project for a city in Amazonia considers the urban farmer's socio-economic vulnerability, gender equity, rational use of urban land, technical assistance, and environmental education. The urban agriculture policy in Brazil represents a significant advance in sustainable cities and explores the potential to be applied to urban vacant land and its contribution to food production, inclusion, and social justice.