Native Seed Training Strengthens Cerrado Restoration

Training promoted by Cerrado das Águas presents the potential of native seed collection for strengthening the restoration production chain and generating income in the Cerrado Mineiro region.

Held in Patrocínio, the initiative combined theory, practice, and the exchange of experiences to expand responsible waste collection, generate income opportunities, and support ecological restoration in the region.

On October 1st and 2nd, at Fazenda Daterra in Patrocínio (MG), Cerrado das Águas held a training course on the collection of native Cerrado seeds. Over two days, the 36 participants learned, both theoretically and practically, the steps involved in identifying species, planning the collection, processing, storing, and marketing the seeds.

The training is part of the Ecological Restoration and Coffee project, which seeks to strengthen biodiverse and productive landscapes, promote sustainable practices in agricultural production, and protect the water resources that are fundamental to the Cerrado biome. The initiative is supported by the Living Forest project, an initiative of BNDES and Petrobras, managed by the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO).

The initiative brought together rural producers, researchers, public officials, associations, cooperatives, socio-environmental projects, and individuals interested in working as seed collectors. Representatives from cooperatives, the State Forestry Institute (IEF), and the municipal environmental secretariats of Patrocínio and Coromandel also participated. Going beyond sharing techniques, the meeting presented the opportunities offered by the native seed supply chain for Cerrado conservation, ecological restoration, community inclusion, and income generation in the region.

The training included a team from the Canastra Viva project, which operates in the Serra da Canastra National Park region and works on the restoration of approximately 200 hectares. Together with the Floresta Viva project, the Cerrado das Águas project aims to restore 203.26 hectares, and, given this objective, included six potential collectors from the territory participating in the training.

The initiative was made possible with the support of Sebrae and the Cerrado Seed Network, and its partners include: Daterra Coffee, Região do Cerrado Mineiro, and Angá.

For Denise Cardoso, an expert in ecological restoration at Daterra Coffee, receiving the training represented an opportunity to connect with the community and strengthen conservation efforts. “This integration with the local community and the professionalization of the harvesters are very important. We know that coffee is entirely dependent on the conservation of the Cerrado, and it is actions like this that help to advance the production of coffee and other foods,” she stated.

Knowledge put into practice

The program was led by facilitators João Carlos Mendes Pereira, a forestry engineer, consultant in ecological restoration and agroforestry, and Master in Agroecology and Rural Development; Madalena Ferreira, a seed collector, biologist, and founder of the Instituto Sementes do Paraíso; and Fabrícia Santarém, a community leader from the Gerais region, a seed collector, an environmental activist, vice-president of COOCREARP, and coordinator of Araticum.

In the theoretical phase, participants learned about the history of seed collection in Brazil, the formation of collector networks, the structure of the production chain, and commercialization possibilities. Topics such as species identification, selection of mother plants, phenology, genetic diversity, traceability, safety, and good collection practices were also covered.

The practical activities were carried out in Cerrado areas of the Daterra Farm. During the field experience, the group identified species, observed different phytophysiognomies, and learned to recognize the appropriate period for ripening and harvesting fruits and seeds.

“We toured the Cerrado with the participants to identify species, discuss phytophysiognomies, and recognize those with potential for harvesting. The goal was to show the possibilities of this supply chain for communities, rural producers, and companies, combining income generation, inclusion of people, and conservation of the biome,” explained instructor João Carlos.

The training also reinforced essential precautions to ensure seed quality and the conservation of collection areas, such as selecting different parent plants of the same species, preserving some of the fruit for wildlife and natural regeneration, avoiding damage to trees, and recording information about the origin of each batch.

In the processing stage, participants learned about extraction, cleaning, selection, drying, and storage processes. The content considered the particularities of orthodox, recalcitrant, and intermediate seeds, which exhibit different levels of tolerance to drying and distinct periods of viability preservation.

Exchange of knowledge between different territories

The presence of collectors and participants from other regions broadened the exchange of knowledge about the diversity of the Cerrado. Madalena Ferreira, who works in Northern Minas Gerais, highlighted the opportunity to learn about different characteristics of the biome.

“The feeling was one of great knowledge exchange. The Cerrado in our region is already transitioning to the Caatinga and has smaller trees. Being here, getting to know another Cerrado and perceiving the connection of the people with this environment was a very positive experience,” he reported.

Among the participants was Rogério Vieira Marques, a family farmer in the Patrocínio region. He already collected seeds and produced seedlings on a small scale, but found in the training an opportunity to improve his knowledge.

“It was very beneficial to meet people who share the same purpose. I already grow my own seedlings and collect seeds, but the course allowed me to exchange experiences with those who develop this work on a larger scale,” she said.

According to Polyanna Custódio Duarte, president of Angá and representative of the project, the proposal aims to strengthen the partnership with Cerrado das Águas and contribute to the formation of a regional network of collectors. “We want to connect the Canastra region and help fill an existing gap in southwestern Minas Gerais, where there is still no structured network or collective of collectors. Seed collection involves more people, makes restoration more accessible, and can expand the scale of actions carried out in the territory,” she explained.

Seeds to regenerate the territory

The responsible collection of native seeds is a fundamental step in enabling restoration actions through direct seeding, a technique known as "seed mix." This method uses a mixture of seeds from different species to restore vegetation and promote the recovery of diversity and ecological functions of the landscape.

At the same time, structuring this chain creates opportunities for family farmers, traditional communities, residents of rural areas, and other groups who know the territory and can transform that knowledge into an income-generating activity.

“This training represents a milestone for Cerrado das Águas and the region, as it contributes to understanding and structuring the productive chain of restoration, while encouraging new people to participate in the collection of native seeds and expand their knowledge about Cerrado species. We brought together producers, researchers, representatives of public authorities, associations and institutions, strengthening a collective construction. The expectation is that the learning will be taken to the different areas of activity of the participants and that, next year, we can replicate this experience in other areas of the Cerrado Mineiro Regenerative Corridor,” highlighted Fabiane Sebaio, executive secretary of Cerrado das Águas.

Based on the results of the first training session, Cerrado das Águas intends to expand the initiative to other areas of the Cerrado Mineiro Regenerative Corridor, disseminating knowledge, connecting new collectors, and strengthening the restoration chain in the region, as explained by Letícia Pereira Silva, project manager of Cerrado das Águas.

“The next step will be the holding of the Restoration Production Chain Workshop, scheduled for the end of November 2026. The meeting will allow us to identify the needs and demands of producers for inputs and services, such as seedlings, seeds, compost and labor, and bring them closer to suppliers. With this connection, we seek to strengthen the restoration chain in the territory and optimize the services offered,” he concludes.