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Organic Agriculture Advances Unevenly Between Denmark and Brazil, Highlighting Policies, Certifications, Market, and Structural Challenges
Organic agriculture is at the center of discussions about food systems in light of data from the IPCC indicating an intensification of the climate crisis, according to an article published.
A study analyzed Denmark and Brazil and revealed contrasting trajectories in the sector, even though both have favorable conditions for sustainable cultivation.
The investigation used a SWOT matrix and quadrants to evaluate public policies, social organization, and market dynamics.
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Producers pierce PET bottles, bury them next to the plants, and create drip irrigation that delivers water directly to the roots and reduces waste in the garden.
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Seven women from the same family turned a cheese factory in Minas into a tourist attraction, where visitors can watch the milking process, see the artisanal cheese being made, and even take home products made on the farm.
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He tore up all the grass in the yard, turned the house into an urban farm, and sold food to the neighbors until the city hall showed up with a fine for zoning violation.
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After working as a waiter for ten years, he borrowed R$ 500 from his brother, created 40-minute lines with an açaí cart on the street, and today runs a farm with 600,000 trees in Pará and a network worth R$ 45 million.
The results show that Denmark has structured a collaborative environment since the 1980s, while Brazil still faces limitations that reduce the scale of production.
These contrasts help to understand why the two countries advance at such different speeds within the same segment.
Public Policies for Sustainable Production
In Denmark, the advancement has occurred continuously over decades, supported by cooperation among government, farmers, and retail.
In 2023, the country allocated 303,000 hectares to cultivation and recorded a per capita consumption of 362 euros. The establishment of the National Organic Agriculture Association, along with certifications, technical training, and tax incentives, solidified the foundation for expansion.
National campaigns, government purchases, and specific credit reinforced access, strengthening the “Økologisk” label as a reference for consumers.
Certification of Organic Products in Europe
The relevance of organic agriculture in the Danish strategy is notable. Between 2015 and 2021, there was a 63% increase in the number of certified properties, supported by the integration of retail and food policies.
Supermarkets began offering organic products at more accessible prices even in the 1990s, expanding the domestic market.
In the 2000s, national plans integrated agricultural and environmental policies, elevating the country to a reference role.
Meanwhile, in Brazil, challenges such as restricted credit, low technical assistance, and lack of national monitoring persist.
Natural Food Consumer Market
In Brazil, the scenario follows an opposite direction. Of more than 351 million hectares of agricultural land, only about 1 million (0.4%) is dedicated to organic cultivation.
Annual consumption is €4 per inhabitant, concentrated in the middle and upper classes. Marketing depends on short circuits, such as local fairs, making scaling difficult.
Organic agriculture emerges as a central theme to understand how structural barriers, such as land concentration and lack of data, limit progress despite ample production potential.
Technical assistance for small producers appears as a crucial point. Programs like Pronaf, PAA, and PNAE have opened pathways, but still do not compete in volume with the conventional model.
The agroecological transition in Brazil requires stable policies, adequate credit, and consumer campaigns.
Researchers from Unicamp and Embrapa point out that identifying barriers can facilitate changes and allow international experiences to inspire local adaptations.
The study also highlights that increasing national monitoring and strengthening social organization initiatives can improve the productive environment.
Moreover, the growing demand for healthier food helps to open new opportunities in various regions of the country.
Organic agriculture is seen as an opportunity given Brazil’s agricultural diversity and the large number of family farmers who can integrate into the sector, significantly broadening future productive prospects.
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