Brazilian Seed Collectors Lead Fight Against Deforestation in Mato Grosso

Community-Led Restoration Efforts

Brazilian seed collectors are at the forefront of efforts to restore degraded ecosystems across the state of Mato Grosso, a region significantly impacted by deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. These dedicated individuals, numbering over 700, are primarily women, Indigenous peoples, family farmers, and urban residents who gather native seeds by hand. Their work is crucial in combating the extensive loss of tropical forests and savannas.

A prominent organization leading this charge is the Rede de Sementes do Xingu (Xingu Seed Network), which operates in the basins of the Xingu, Araguaia, and Teles Pires rivers, particularly around the Xingu Indigenous Territory. Since its inception, the network has played a vital role in ecological restoration, contributing to the recovery of approximately 10,800 hectares of land. This is achieved through a method known as 'muvuca,' which involves direct seeding and is noted for being more cost-effective and less reliant on irrigation than traditional seedling planting.

Addressing Deforestation and Economic Impact

The efforts of these seed collectors directly address the severe deforestation rates in Brazil. In 2024, Brazil accounted for 42 percent of global tropical forest loss, with much of the destruction attributed to fires. Mato Grosso, a major agricultural state, has seen significant forest loss, with 1,702 km² deforested in 2019 alone. The work of seed collectors provides a sustainable alternative to this trend, promoting a forest-based economy.

Beyond environmental benefits, seed collection offers an important source of income for local communities. For instance, seed collector Vera Alves da Silva Oliveira, a member of the Xingu Seed Network since 2012, has seen her income from seed collection help her family build homes and acquire vehicles. The Xingu Seed Network has commercialized over 390 tons of seeds, generating substantial direct income for its collectors.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite the significant contributions of seed collectors, the scale of restoration still faces considerable challenges. Bruna Dayanna Ferreira, director of the Xingu Seed Network, highlighted that the capacity to collect seeds often outstrips the demand for planting. Furthermore, the rapid pace of deforestation means that restoration initiatives, while impactful, are a long way from fully countering the destruction.

Brazil has committed to restoring 12 million hectares of natural areas by 2030 as part of its climate goals under the 2015 Paris Agreement. Government initiatives, such as the 'Restoring the Amazon' project, have allocated funds, with 274 million reais (approximately $50 million USD) awarded since last year to restore nearly 8,000 hectares in Indigenous territories and public lands. The national plan for native vegetation recovery, Planaveg, also aims to integrate community seed collection into its core strategy, signaling a growing recognition of these grassroots efforts.