Women of the Cerrado Mineiro: network leverages collective strength to cultivate regenerative landscapes.

The 3rd Meeting of the Network of Women Builders of Regenerative Landscapes in the Cerrado Mineiro addressed water as a link between stories.

Women continue to gain prominence in the Cerrado Mineiro region. On November 1, the Cerrado das Águas Consortium held the 3rd Meeting of the Network of Women Builders of Regenerative Landscapes in the Cerrado Mineiro at the Quebranzol Settlement in Serra do Salitre: Women who care for and act together for water, bringing together farmers, researchers, technicians, and leaders in a moment marked by genuine exchanges, sensitivity, and purpose

The initiative was promoted by the Cerrado das Águas Consortium (CCA) with support from CEPF and IEB. CEPF – Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and IEB – International Education Institute of Brazil. CEPF is an international initiative that brings together the French Development Agency, Conservation International, the European Union, the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Canada, the Government of Japan, and the World Bank, with the aim of strengthening civil society participation in biodiversity conservation. The IEB acts as CEPF's regional implementation team, promoting training, institutional strengthening, and knowledge dissemination in favor of a more just and sustainable society.

“t is a very special moment, where women are gathered to discuss, listen to female producers in the region about water issues, and share ideas to promote sustainable action, take care of our basin, take care of our survival, which is water, learning, contributing information, and also being multipliers through the Cerrado das Águas Consortium, through all the female producers who are here, we can join forces in the environmental actions of our municipality, which for me is very gratifying,"

Says Flávia Araújo, councilwoman of Serra do Salitre.

The initiative, which in addition to these meetings also promoted a Field Day and plans an event on female entrepreneurship in December, has been consolidating a transformative movement that combines knowledge, empathy, and action in favor of landscape regeneration and the strengthening of sustainable agriculture, connecting more and more women to the proposed movement.

“Cooxupé has been a partner of the Cerrado das Águas Consortium for several years, and the importance of a meeting like this is that it provides us with information that we can pass on to our cooperative members, our producers, about the importance of water resilience in productive territory for economic viability, seeking to mitigate the difficulties we have been facing.”

Says Naihara Uniai, sustainable production analyst at Cooxupé, an associate member of the CCA.

During the meeting, participants shared experiences and strategies for increasing women's leadership in water conservation practices, soil management, and the construction of more balanced production systems, reaffirming that caring for the land begins with caring for people and all elements involved in production.

“We saw the amount of resources we have on the farm that we weren't keeping track of, especially water resources, because the basin is very extensive and covers a large area of the farm. So, for us, during this project, it will be incredible to participate and also follow our progress, both as rural producers and our progress within the project as well.”

Comments rural producer Lilian Araújo.

More than just a space for dialogue, the Network has become fertile ground for new leaders, strengthening women's participation in different links of the coffee chain and in the management of rural properties. With each edition, the number of women involved and the scope of actions grow, reflecting the collective commitment to building a more regenerative, diverse, and resilient Cerrado Mineiro.

"When thinking about the countryside and water, which is the subject we are dealing with today, I believe that we will only make progress if we do so collectively and collaboratively, because individually we cannot take action, and Cerrado das Águas helps producers. So, it is an invitation, an appeal, for our neighbors, for example, who do not participate, to also join the CCA, and for other women to also be part of this network,"

Emphasizes rural producer Natália Pelegrini.

By bringing together stories, knowledge, and experiences, the Network continues to show that the future of the Cerrado Mineiro is cultivated through networking and that women are major agents of transformation and care for the biome.