Agroforestry systems in Brazil attract large-scale industrial investment

Agroforestry systems (SAFs) are transitioning from small-scale community projects to large-scale industrial business models, attracting billions in private investment. Major companies such as Pátria, Natura, Belterra, and Courageous Land are increasingly utilizing these systems to align financial returns with environmental goals.

Belterra has secured R$ 100 million through the BNDES Climate Fund to implement 2,500 hectares of agroforestry across Pará, Mato Grosso, and Bahia. This shift represents a move toward systematized, large-scale operations rather than the customized, small-scale models previously supported primarily by NGOs.

The growth is driven by Brazil's forest restoration agenda, which aims to recover tens of millions of hectares of degraded pastureland. Experts note that while carbon credits are a factor, they often do not provide sufficient immediate financing. Consequently, successful models integrate short- and medium-term agricultural production to generate revenue within the first few months, providing cash flow while carbon returns stabilize after the third year.