JURUTI, Pará — Since May 2023, the Amazon has faced below-average rainfall, leading to an unprecedented drought exacerbated by climate change and the El Niño phenomenon. In the western region of Pará, small-scale farming has been severely affected, a critical concern as agriculture occupies half of the land in this area.

To combat these challenges, family farmers are turning to innovative solutions, such as agroforestry systems and the integration of native bees, to enhance productivity and resilience. Watch how these sustainable practices are helping farmers adapt to the harsh conditions while preserving the vital ecosystem of the Amazon.

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Banner image: The region’s typically sandy soil is heavily affected by drought. Image by Julia Lima/Mongabay.

Extreme drought in western Pará pushes family farmers into agroforestry