Family farming provides 70 percent of the food consumed in Brazil, representing an important step towards agro-ecology, say experts. Brazil has several initiatives under way that favor ecological agriculture, such as sustainable harvests and biological control of pests, but they need to be more widespread, Mabel de Faría Melo, coordinator of the National Agro-Ecology Conference, told Tierramérica.

The meeting is to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Jul 30-Aug 2, with the participation of more than 500 farmers, researchers and activists.

The concept of agro-ecology encompasses fair distribution of land, water and land use, technology, education, and social policies, said Faría Melo.