Women’s participation in the Sustainable Production of Calves Program, developed in the regions of Araguaia Valley and Juruena Valley, in Mato Grosso, is gaining ground. At the end of 2019, during events held by Acrimat, one of the Program’s implementing partners in three municipalities in Araguaia, the women who attended it had a moment specially prepared for them. In partnership with Senar-MT, the initiative aimed to listen to those women to understand their participation in the family business and how the Program can support them.
The session started with a presentation that addressed the role of women in rural businesses and in the family economy, as well as income opportunities. It aimed at raising awareness and acknowledging the role of women and the importance of their participation in the rural business, and in family planning and organization, which results in the sum of efforts for the development of the property as a whole.
“I was impressed with the initiative of this Program. Hearing and getting to know about women’s potential, and being recognized for that has made me feel more valued than ever. This moment was enough to last a lifetime,” said Marisa Beatriz Solimann, a teacher and rural producer from Gaúcha do Norte.
At the end of each meeting, a survey was carried out to find out what activities can be developed by the Sustainable Production of Calves Program this year. Almost all of the more than 60 women who attended the sessions showed their interest in participating in lectures and courses on administrative and financial management, in addition to training in entrepreneurship.
“I found it very gratifying because it talked about women’s participation in the property, about entrepreneurship. We want to express our opinions and have some space in the decision-making process. We are not here only to manage the home, wash clothes and feed the chicken. And the Program has shown that it is here to help us, the small farmers, to join efforts and at no cost ”, evaluated Célia Macedo, a rural producer in Ribeirão Cascalheira.
During the meetings, the farmers also met to evaluate the Program’s actions developed in 2019 and point out what needs to be considered in the calendar of activities planned for this year. In this context, local technical assistance was highly praised for pointing out the need for progress on issues related to environmental and land regularization. “We have been in the region since 1987 and so far, no one, not even a member of the government, has come here to lend a hand and help us ensure our right to the land where we have been living for more than 30 years. Without this, we cannot get access to credit to improve our property and production. So, with the Program, we have a new hope and we are ready to do whatever is we have to”, reinforced Flávio Zaia, from the municipality of Paranatinga.
According to Beef Sector Program Officer IDH Brazil, Ivens Domingos, all the information collected will serve as a basis for planning the Program actions. “For us it is very important to have this direct contact with the farmers, as they point us to the most assertive path to be followed. We are learning and improving with this whole process”, he said.
The Sustainable Production of Calves Program has been in place since February 2019, in the Mato Grosso regions of the Juruena Valley and Araguaia Valley. The program aims to benefit 457 properties by 2021 by providing technical assistance in production, finance, environment and land tenure regularization, resulting in improved income for the farmers. To this end, IDH initiative relies on the partnership with the Carrefour Foundation, Carrefour Brazil, Acrimat, Natcap and São Marcelo Farm.