Supporting Indigenous women in Brazil to build sistainable, low-cost poultry systems rooted in local knowledge and agroecological practices.
Sustainable Egg Production with Indigenous Women in Brazil
This project supports Indigenous women in Brazil to develop sustainable, low-cost poultry farming systems rooted in local knowledge and agroecological practices. By strengthening women’s leadership and building on existing community knowledge, the project aims to improve food security, resilience, and long-term sustainability.
Why This Project Matters
Conventional poultry production models often rely heavily on external inputs such as industrial feed and hybrid breeds, making them costly and difficult to sustain in vulnerable communities. These systems can also contribute to environmental degradation and the erosion of traditional knowledge.
In Indigenous communities, these challenges are even more significant, as they directly affect food sovereignty, cultural continuity, and the role of women as key knowledge holders. This project responds to these challenges by developing a locally adapted, low-cost, and culturally rooted approach to poultry farming.
What do we do
The project focuses on building a practical and replicable model of agroecological poultry farming that is accessible and sustainable within the local context. Key activities include:
Developing alternative poultry feed using locally available crops such as pigeon pea, moringa, and cassava
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Supporting the use and management of native chicken breeds adapted to local conditions
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Integrating traditional knowledge and agroecological practices into poultry systems
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Training and supporting Indigenous women through participatory workshops and knowledge exchange
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Establishing a reference production unit that can be replicated in other communities
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Who We Work with
The project is led in partnership with Indigenous women from the Guajajara community in the Arariboia Indigenous Territory in Maranhão, Brazil. These women are part of an established and organised network with extensive experience in food production, environmental stewardship, and community leadership.
Local Indigenous leadership and community associations
Daniela Sartori, researcher and project lead in Brazil
Global Support Link (GSL), providing governance, financial management, and strategic support
Academic and local partners contributing technical expertise and training