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Farm description
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Since 1977, Fazenda Tamanduá has worked to find solutions to hardships this particular region faces They have put in place various programs for economic development. They introduced a herd of Brown Swiss cattle, one of the world’s oldest breeds, well suited to the climatic conditions of the area. Brown Swiss are very hardy and versatile and can thus be employed for milk production (dairy), beef production (meat) and as draught animals (traction). The cheese produced on the farm is sold across Brazil and was the first organic cheese sold in the country. As a second measure, they planted 30 hectares of grafted Tommy Atkins and Keitt mango trees To ensure optimum use of the scarce water supply; a drip irrigation system has been installed. The irrigation water is entirely dependent on rain collected in three interconnected reservoirs. In 1998, after a severe cycle of droughts, the owner decided to convert to organic agriculture, having witnessed that local organic farms were more drought resistant. In his search for the most appropriate organic approach, he was introduced to bio-dynamic agriculture and felt that this way of farming came the closest to his ideal - to integrate all agricultural activities into a self-reliant farm organism.
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Fazenda Tamanduá
Fazenda Tamanduá is situated close to the town of Patos, State of Paraíba, in the northeast of Brazil at an average altitude of 240 m and 7° south of the Equator. The farm is named after an impressive rock formation “Serrote Tamanduá” which means ‘mountain of the anteater’ Anteaters live in the area. This enormous rock limits the farm.
The climate is characteristic of tropical semi-arid regions with an average annual rainfall of 800 mm, (31.5 in) concentrated within a short period of 2 to 4 months, followed by a long dry period. Drought cycles hit this region periodically and contribute to poverty, migration from rural areas and violence. Global climatic changes have caused a noticeable reduction in rainfall in the last few years. The region used to be known for its production of cotton (locally known as White Gold), which came to an end in 1984 after a severe infestation of the boll weevil, which is destructive to cotton crops the world over. The loss of cotton production caused an economic and social crisis of huge proportions.
This eventually led to the introduction of bees in the mango orchards for the purpose of pollination. It also provides the families with honey.
The various organic and bio-dynamic techniques developed by Fazenda Tamanduá for this semi arid region are continuously transmitted to small farmers in the neighboring communities. To further help their neighbors, Fazenda Tamanduá works together with other local honey producers, assisting them with the sale of their products.
www.fazendatamandua.com.br/
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