Perception and adaptation of family farmers to Climate Change

Abstract

Introduction: Agricultural activity is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with estimates indicating that 49% of total emissions stem from changes in land use. Family farming, which plays a central role in food production in Brazil, may face significant impacts due to extreme weather events, affecting both production and lifestyle of the involved communities. In light of the climate crisis, it becomes urgent to rethink the food production model, seeking practices that respect both the environment and the population. Objective: The aim of this research was to investigate how family farmers identify the impacts of climate change on their activities and what strategies they are being adopting to mitigate these effects and adapt to them. Methods: The research was conducted through document analysis, participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 20 family farmers from the Milton Santos rural settlement. Results and Discussion: The results indicate that Agroforestry Systems (AFS) based on agroecological principles emerged as an effective strategy, adopted since the early years of the settlement and maintained by families. AFS provide various benefits, such as improved soil quality, thermal control, wind protection, increased soil water retention capacity, and erosion prevention, proving to be adaptable to the diverse biological, physical, and socio-economic realities of family farmers. Conclusion: SAFs based on agroecological principles are suitable to addressing the challenges posed by climate change, promoting environmental sustainability, and enhancing the resilience of farming communities.