Interview with Brazil's Agroforestry Lighthouse Farm Rizoma Agro on Nature-Based Solutions

We celebrate the second edition of the Food Systems Innovation Challenge on nature-based solutions through a series of interviews with exemplary and pioneering Lighthouse Farms around the world. Each Lighthouse Farm applies several nature-based solutions and serves as a major source of inspiration for other farmers, placing sustainable food production and the provision of ecosystem services at the very core of their farming activities.

Dr. Jonas Steinfeld, the Lighthouse Farm Coordinator in Brazil, has been closely connected to the farm since 2016. His involvement began during an internship at on the farm, where he was inspired by agroforestry practices through a workshop there. Upon returning to the Netherlands, Jonas pursued a master's degree in Organic Agriculture, specializing in agroecology at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), and dedicated an entire year to collecting data on agroforestry in Brazil as part of his MSc. thesis and internship.

Building on this foundation, Jonas started his four-year PhD research project at WUR focused on Brazilian agroforestry. His work explored how the complexity of agroforestry systems influences their ecological benefits and the labour demands placed on farmers. As a current Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of São Paulo, he continues to work with a network of pioneering agroforestry farmers in Brazil and organizes workshops on agroforestry.

Could you please share the history of Fazenda da Toca - Rizoma Agro, how it evolved into what it is today, and what it currently produces?

In 2017, Rizoma Agro (which has 50 hectares of agroforestry plots) was founded by the owner of Fazenda da Toca to focus on regenerative agriculture, focusing on agroforestry. The agroforestry area of Rizoma Agro is located on the organic farm Fazenda da Toca (approximately 2,300 hectares), which has undergone various phases of development.

The current agroforestry systems at Rizoma are designed for citrus fruits and compete with conventional citrus farms in terms of profitability and have a much more positive environmental impact. Through innovation and the reinvention of agroforestry, a more diverse and at the same time manageable system was developed, combining the best elements from monocultures and traditional agroforestry methods. Both Fazenda da Toca and Rizoma are organic and B Corp-certified farms.

The transition to organic farming began in 2009 motivated by the need to improve soil health. The farm's soil is very sandy and low in organic matter, resulting in poor water-holding capacity. In a climate with six months of heavy rainfall followed by a dry winter, managing soil that dries out quickly is a significant challenge. When the decision was made to cease conventional farming practices and convert the land to organic, the restoration process was supported by the 700 hectares of surrounding preserved forest, which helped biodiversity recover more quickly.

Rizoma focuses on agroforestry, with its primary output being organic-certified citrus fruits, mostly limes, which are also exported to Europe. Other outputs of the agroforestry system at Rizoma include timber (Eucalyptus, mahogany and native timber species) and small quantities of other crops such as ginger and turmeric.

Why do you think this farm is special, and what do you believe it does particularly well?

This farm is particularly special because it has attempted something new on a scale that no one had managed before—and succeeded in doing so. The farm transformed bare land into agroforestry in a way that goes far beyond what other farmers typically attempt. This process came with significant risks, and the farm experienced major ups and downs. However, the owner, Pedro Paulo Diniz, believed in the vision and invested a substantial amount of money. His goal has been to bring food production and nature into harmony, and he never stopped believing in this goal. Additionally, this farm is capable of managing a 50-hectare regenerative agroforestry system, which is typically implemented on a smaller scale.

A significant amount of knowledge about large-scale agroforestry—previously unknown—was generated on the farm through trial and error. The agronomists on the farm kept learning and immediately implemented new insights. There was no straightforward route, and they adjusted their practices continuously along the way. The farm is not hesitant to share knowledge. New agroforestry insights and practical solutions have always been shared with interested neighbouring farmers.

This lighthouse farm has been a pioneer in large-scale agroforestry production in Brazil, setting an example for others so they don't have to reinvent the wheel when facing certain problems and challenges.

Can you identify some elements of nature-based solutions implemented on the farm and share them with us?

Agroforestry is the perfect example of a nature-based solution on the farm. Through agroforestry, many aspects are addressed, contributing to the reduction of numerous challenges. Additionally, crops are less affected by biotic and abiotic factors. Some examples include healthier soils, increased water-holding capacity (reducing the need for irrigation), and improved pest resilience in crops. Furthermore, the farm has become less reliant on external inputs.

However, determining what works in practice was a true challenge. One example from the farm is the intercropping of citrus trees with taller Eucalyptus trees. Initially, it was unclear how much shade from the Eucalyptus and native trees the citrus trees could tolerate. Determining the optimal density for planting these additional trees without compromising the productivity of citrus trees was a significant challenge. Moreover, since citrus trees grow much more slowly compared to crops, the effects only become visible after several years.

Extensive trial and error, along with research using 50%, 80%, and 100% shade, was conducted to discover the optimal shade level for lime trees to produce the best and healthiest citrus fruits. Surprisingly, 80% shade proved to be optimal for citrus production. This farm can plant citrus trees at the same density as conventional farms, but in this system, the timber from the other trees can also be harvested, increasing the total farm output without compromising sustainability and offering more habitat for biodiversity.

What are some major challenges in that area or in Brazil related to food systems that you believe need to be addressed?

Starting with the positive aspects, resilient agriculture has been quite a success story in Brazil. You might not know this, but no-till farming is very common here. Over the years, Brazil has become a major food producer, and its farmers are strong adopters of technology and highly innovative. However, a major challenge in Brazil is that its agricultural activities are heavily dependent on external inputs such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers from abroad. (To put this in perspective, according to 2024 data, Brazil imports about 85% of its total crop nutrient needs, with the import value of fertilizers amounting to $25 billion (USDA)). Agroforestry can provide solutions as the nutrients for the crops are leaked less out of the system and nutrients are recycled more efficiently.

Also, the effects of climate change are a big issue for Brazil. Previously, it was possible to have two or even three cropping cycles per year. However, due to reduced rainfall and increased heat, fewer cropping cycles are now feasible. This greatly impacts the entire business model of Brazilian agriculture, particularly for farmers. Compared to European farmers, Brazilian farmers have a much smaller safety net and receive minimal subsidies.

Could you offer tips to students working on identifying a problem in the food system and participating in the Food Systems Innovation Challenge that could be solved with a nature-based solution?

A key characteristic of finding a good solution is prioritizing farmers. The solution should align closely with the farmer's reality. Most of a farmer's daily time is spent solving day-to-day problems, leaving little capacity to address issues they will face in the (near) future. This is where scientists can step in—to help farmers find solutions for issues that may not be urgent now but will become critical in the future.

In addition to prioritizing farmers, I believe it is also very important to understand why farmers are currently doing things the way they are. We often judge farmers for not adopting a solution that seems ideal to us, but we forget that many farmers have significant debts and commitments. As a result, they can often only make decisions that provide short-term benefits to pay back debts, which might not be the best option in the long run.

Previously, I conducted a literature review on agroforestry and discovered that only about 1.5% of the 16,000 studies on agroforestry focus on the financial aspects of agroforestry. While we now have ample information showing that agroforestry benefits both nature and society in many ways, we lack knowledge about how to implement it effectively. Therefore, generating more insights through on-farm experimentation to acquire practical knowledge and data is urgently needed. This will enable us to develop solutions that address specific problems faced by farmers practicing agroforestry.

What are your thoughts on the Food Systems Innovation challenge, and what impact do you think it could have on the farm or the society as a whole?

I supervise a number of students and am often impressed by their ideas and how quickly they apply their knowledge in creative ways. Students and young people have a tremendous amount of energy and drive to improve things, and as a society, we should take advantage of that. Overall, students have fewer responsibilities and can dedicate time to projects that drive change. In agriculture, especially, challenges like these can help channel their energy and passion toward meaningful solutions.

Curious about the Global Network of Lighthouse Farms and the Lighthouse farm Rizoma Agro in São Paulo, Brazil? Click on the links to learn more about their activities and to gain more inspiration on nature-based solutions.

Get inspired by the 2025 Food Systems Innovation Challenge by joining our kick-off webinar on the 4th of February 2025 (2:00PM Amsterdam time)! We will discuss more about nature-based solutions and provide more information on the 2025 Food Systems Innovation challenge. Register here to reserve your spot! 

The 2025 Food Systems Innovation Challenge is organized by Wageningen University & Research (WUR), WUR Student Challenges, the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP), Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, with the Global Network of Lighthouse Farms as knowledge partner.

Image credits: Rizoma Agro and Mariana Debernardini (Global Network of Lighthouse Farms)