Agroforestry Systems Restore Water in Brazil

Nina Celli and Guilherme Stutz transformed a pasture in Trajano de Moraes, Brazil, into a thriving agroforestry system over fifteen years. They combined native trees, fruit trees, and coffee cultivation on their Fazenda Monte Cristo. These systems, called SAFs, mimic natural forests by integrating trees with agricultural production and nutrient cycling.

The couple’s work regenerated compacted soil and improved farm humidity, reviving intermittent springs and creating new water sources. Ernst Gotsch, an early proponent of agroforestry in Brazil, emphasizes that these systems “plant water” by respecting natural hydrological cycles. Joel Queiroga, a researcher at Embrapa Meio Ambiente, found that SAFs maintain 2.3% more humidity and are 3.4°C cooler than open areas.

Stutz observed in his master’s research that coffee plants in the SAF required half the fertilizer of those grown conventionally, showing that balanced environments lessen input needs. While SAFs offer promise, challenges remain in securing specialized labor, accessing markets, and obtaining adequate technical support for widespread adoption. The work to expand these systems and understand their full potential continues.