Sertão Verde Project in Brazil – A Model of Sustainable Community Agriculture
Based in Ninheira, Brazil, the Sertão Verde Project is run in partnership with Emmanuel International in Brazil and the UK, Montes Claros Presbyterian Church, and Sementes do Vale. The project expanded significantly in 2025 and uses a community vegetable garden as a training centre for women from rural communities selected through social assessment.
Participants complete six months of training in vegetable cultivation, soil management, and sustainable farming practices. Each woman then establishes a home garden using kits provided by the project, including netting, a water tank, watering can, and seeds, alongside ongoing technical support.
Following the initial training, families continue to receive guidance and take part in discussion groups for a further 18 months. The gardens help reduce food insecurity, improve household income, and strengthen community relationships.
Sertão Verde is designed to be cyclical and replicable, promoting social, environmental, and spiritual transformation through evangelism and discipleship, and is becoming a recognised model of sustainable community development.
One beneficiary, Auraci, shared: “Thanks to this initiative, my garden has expanded greatly. Now I can provide for my household, share with those in need, and even sell part of my produce. It is a joy to see this network growing as the members of this project help each other.”







