On the property of Elizeia Valus and Geovanes Kindziera Krepel, in Cândido de Abreu, there is a bit of everything: lettuce, leeks, potatoes, beet, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, parsley, among other products. But it wasn't always like this. Fifteen years ago, the couple started working with silkworms. Then came dairy farming. The desire to grow vegetables already existed, but they lacked guidance. And it arrived in 2019, with the Matas Sociais Program.

"We used to do everything ourselves and lacked technical assistance. When the Klabin people arrived, we were given advice on management, fertilizing, pest control and the type of crop that grows best according to the climate and time of year. That's when we started planting broccoli and cauliflower," recalls Geovanes. "Taking care of the soil also helped us. Our soil was very bad and, with the use of the ecosolo (soil conditioner) provided by the program, we corrected it," adds Elizeia.

Putting their learning into practice, the couple achieved good results. "Before, we harvested tiny broccoli. Today, we have broccoli weighing almost two kilos," says Geovanes. With better quality, demand for the products has increased and the family has seen their income grow by around 80%. "After Matas, we're paying off old debts and investing in things we didn't have, like a drip system, a water reservoir and a pump," says Elizeia.   

Currently, the produce is destined for the local cooperative, markets in the region and customers who come to the property. Trading is done via WhatsApp by Elizeia, who is always posting videos and photos on social media. "Who is not seen is not remembered. A lot of people are curious to know what it's like to grow a vegetable garden on a large scale. So I started posting and saw that there was engagement. I'm marketing and selling.

Did you know? Ecosol is produced by Klabin and Ambipar at the Puma Unit's Waste Treatment Center. In other words, what would otherwise be waste becomes an input for farmers.

PRICELESS BENEFITS

The gains made by the family go beyond the financial. "We can raise our son, Davi, together. We don't have to leave the house and work hours outside. We look after him here and teach him how to work in the fields. Today, he has his own vegetable garden, which he tends when he has time. I think it could be a profession for the future too," says Elizeia.

The producer has also learned to use her land for self-care. Last year, she started planting strawberries, an idea that came from a project developed between Matas Sociais and the local cooperative. "I go through psychological treatment and depended on a lot of medication. I talked to my doctor and growing strawberries became my therapy, greatly reducing the amount of medication in my treatment. I've combined the useful with the pleasant," she says.

SOCIAL FORESTS: PLANNING SUSTAINABLE PROPERTIES 

The program encourages family farming and assists small and medium-sized producers in production, adapting properties to legislation and marketing products.  

Municipalities: Telêmaco Borba, Imbaú, Ortigueira, Curiúva, Sapopema, São Jerônimo da Serra, Cândido de Abreu, Rio Branco do Ivaí, Reserva, Tibagi and Ventania.

2023 HIGHLIGHTS 

>> 731 properties are being assisted with the restoration of degraded areas, landscaping and ornamentation, and the enrichment of preserved forests. 

>> By July, more than 17,700 seedlings had been donated. 

>> More than 10 million in sales by cooperatives and individual producers.