SAFTA project aims to support 200 farmers in Brokopondo by 2030

The SAFTA project (Sistema Agroforestal de Tomé-Açu) has launched in Brokopondo, Suriname, with the goal of expanding support from six current farmers to approximately 200 by 2030. The initiative focuses on implementing a sustainable agroforestry model that balances profitable agricultural methods with nature conservation.

Sergio Akiemboto, Chief of Staff to the President, emphasized that agriculture should serve as a strategic pillar for Suriname’s economic development alongside tourism and the emerging oil and gas sectors. He noted that unlike extracted resources, agriculture provides a long-term, sustainable economic activity.

To facilitate knowledge transfer, Surinamese farmers have traveled to Brazil to gain practical experience with the SAFTA system. Future plans include local workshops and training sessions to combine theoretical knowledge with practical application. Akiemboto also highlighted the necessity of addressing infrastructure, electricity, and land security to ensure the project's formal and sustainable growth.