The document summarizes Brazil's experience with no-till farming systems for smallholder farmers. It describes how no-till was introduced in Brazil in the 1970s and the development of animal-drawn no-till planters in the 1980s and 1990s. Demonstration plots showed the feasibility and benefits of no-till for small farms, including reduced labor, improved yields, and reduced soil erosion. While financial and technical limitations remain challenges, no-till has grown to over half of Brazil's cropland due to government programs, partnerships between research and extension, and farmers' active participation in developing the technology.

1. www.emater.pr.gov.br Experience of No Tillage System in smallholder farming - Brazil Lutécia Beatriz Canalli Agronomist M.Sc. Soil Science Dra Vegetal Production

2. Paraná SC RGS Area (million ha) season 2010/11 Grain production No tillage PR 8,8 5,7 (65%) SC 1,4 1,1 (78%) RGS 7,4 3,8 (51%) Brazil 49,2 28,5 (58%)

3. Font: Emater-RS, Epagri-SC, Emater-PR, CATI, FEBRAPDP

4. Font: Emater-PR (bean, corn, soybean) Excluding 2 nd season and winter cover crops

5. HISTORY 1970’s – No tillage started in Brazil 1985 – the first no tillage planter with animal traction was developed by IAPAR (research institute) – called “GRALHA AZUL” 1992/93 – 31 Unities of test and validation of the “Gralha Azul” were established and carried in the small farms by EMATER-PR (official extension service), with FEBRAPDP (Brazilian Federation of No Tillage) support

6. RESULTS PLANTER IMPROVEMENT OTHER OPTIONS OF ANIMAL TRACTION PLANTER APPEARED FEASIBILITY OF THE NO TILLAGE ANIMAL TRACTION IN SMALL FARM

10. In order to preserve the natural resources, to improve the productivity, the income and the quality life of the farmers and their families, all the governmental programs and projects envolving grain production have as base the No Tillage System.

11. Grains Project of Bean and Corn Center South Region It is a partnership between Government of Parana State, through EMATER-PR (official extension service) and the Multinational SYNGENTA, with support of Brazilian Federation of No Tillage on Cover Crop Residues, IAPAR, UEPG, EMBRAPA.

14. DEMONSTRATIVE UNITIES Area: 1 hectare Technology: adequated to the predominant system, having no tillage as base of sustainability of the process. Methodology: groups around 20 farmers discuss the unities results and exchange experience among them and with the technicians in courses, field days and meetings.

16. GRAINS PROJECT OF BEAN AND CORN PARTNERSHIP EMATER-PR / SYNGENTA / IAPAR Results of 64 Demonstrative Unities of bean Season 2009/2010

17. GRAINS PROJECT OF BEAN AND CORN PARTNERSHIP EMATER-PR / SYNGENTA Results of 50 Demonstrative Unities of corn Season 2009/2010

18. The success of the agricultural activity is directly related to managing capacity of the farmer and suitable managment of the natural resources.

19. In the current agricultural system, which is very competitive, the small farmers cannot risk, they must carry their farms as a small company and the technologies must be extremly dynamic, integrated and easy to adoption.

21. The hardless work and the less labour utilization, allowed by the no tillage system, makes possible the introduction of other activities on the small farm, with consequent income improvement.

25. When the objective is to improve the agricultural systems efficacy, to minimaze the environmental degradation and improve the quality life of the rural communities, besides of generation and difusion of technology, it is necessary that the agricultural policies also be suitable to small farm reality.

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27. Fone: (41) 3250-2100 [email_address] www.emater.pr.gov.br