Permaculture is transforming Brazil’s drylands by replacing destructive farming practices with sustainable polycultures. This approach is helping small farmers restore soil, increase productivity, and rebuild livelihoods in the Sertão. The result is a powerful alternative to rural poverty and migration.
By Marsha Hanzi
The Sertão is the most densely populated dryland region in the world, yet remains deeply misunderstood.
The enormous slums of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (15 million inhabitants each) are largely composed of migrants from the drylands of Northeast Brazil. This vast region, covering 900,000 square kilometers, is home to around ten million people. Known as the “Sertão”, it is the most densely inhabited dryland region in the world.
Young people leave these areas for several reasons:
Lack of economic opportunity
Over-fragmented land inheritance
Limited agricultural productivity
Cultural stigma and negative media portrayal
A typical story illustrates the issue: a grandfather owned a thousand acres; his sons inherited smaller portions, and the next generation received plots too small to survive on.
At the same time, a national myth portrays the Sertão as a place of inevitable poverty, pushing youth toward cities in search of opportunity.
The Problem with Conventional Agriculture
The agricultural model currently used in the region is largely a misguided imitation of European systems, characterized by:
Monocultures
Excessive plowing
Burning organic matter
Heavy use of chemicals
These practices are highly unsuitable for a dry tropical climate. Within three to five years, they lead to:
Severe soil degradation
Loss of fertility
Increased vulnerability to drought
As a result, farmers are often forced to abandon their land and move elsewhere.
The Birth of a Sustainable Alternative
The Bahian Permaculture Institute, founded in 1992, was created to rethink agriculture in drylands. Its mission is to develop sustainable, regenerative farming models.
A key influence is Ernst Götsch, pioneer of Brazil’s agroforestry movement. His approach focuses on:
Successional agroforestry
Mimicking natural ecosystems
Long-term soil regeneration
Permaculture provides the broader framework, integrating whole-farm planning with ecological principles.
The Dryland Polyculture Project
Polyculture systems have enabled small farms to produce food year-round with minimal external inputs.
In 2000, a visit to Irecê—a region collapsing due to monoculture and chemical overuse—sparked a transformative idea.
The proposal was simple but powerful:
Combine multiple crops in the same field, using castor beans as the main cash crop while growing diverse food crops for local consumption.
This idea became the Dryland Polyculture Project.
With support from the castor oil industry:
Funding was secured
Agronomist Henrique Souza developed model fields
The initiative rapidly expanded
Today, the project supports over 1,000 farming families in the Irecê region.
Why Polyculture Works
The success of the project lies in its focus on diversity and resilience:
Small plots produce large quantities of food year-round
Pests are virtually nonexistent
Soil retains moisture weeks after rainfall
Farmers gain both food security and income stability
Most importantly, this model restores dignity and pride in farming.
A New Future for the Sertão
As polyculture systems prove successful, a new narrative is emerging:
Farming becomes economically viable
Young people are motivated to stay on the land
Rural communities regain autonomy and sustainability
Looking ahead, even those who migrated to cities may find renewed opportunity in returning home. With the right model, life in the Sertão can be productive, stable, and fulfilling—even on small plots of land.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is permaculture?
Permaculture is a sustainable farming system that mimics natural ecosystems to create productive and self-sufficient agricultural environments.
2. Why is the Sertão vulnerable to degradation?
The region has a dry climate, and inappropriate farming methods like monoculture and chemical use accelerate soil exhaustion.
3. What is polyculture farming?
Polyculture involves growing multiple crops together, increasing biodiversity, improving soil health, and reducing pests.
4. How does polyculture benefit farmers?
It ensures year-round production, reduces risks, improves soil moisture, and provides both food and income.
5. Can permaculture reduce migration to cities?
Yes. By making rural life economically viable, it encourages people—especially young farmers—to remain in or return to their communities.
*Marsha Hanzi is a Swiss-American permanent resident in Brazil since 1976, is co-founder of the Bahian Permaculture Institute. She “retired” from the Institute in 2002 to start her life´s dream: her own farm in the drylands, transforming 50 acres of poor sandy land into a “Paradise Garden”. Her project is called “Marizá Epicenter for Culture and Agroecology”. It is open to visitors and trainees – www.marsha.com.br. www.permacultura-bahia.org.br
