During the forum, Ana Benoliel Coutinho, Head of the Climate Change, Environmental Measures, and Risk Management Service at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA), presented the legal framework in this area. Her presentation analyzed the role of agroecological practices in enhancing farmers’ resilience to climate change and in providing ecosystem services at the local level. A special role within these practices is assigned to agroforestry systems—the “green infrastructure” of forest-type pastures—as well as soil and water resource management.
In previous years, the MAIA Ministry participated in the process of establishing state financial support for the restoration and creation of forest strips—as an important method for soil protection and mitigating the effects of climate change. This focus will continue under the Strategic Agricultural Policy Program for 2026–2030, as part of measures aimed at climate change resilience and improving the quality of natural resource management, according to a MAIA statement.
During the discussions, it was particularly emphasized that agri-environmental measures are more effective when implemented in a coordinated manner at the local level. In this regard, the special role of local authorities in coordinating dialogue between farmers, forestry enterprises, and other land users was highlighted.
In this context, the National Program for Enhancing Agricultural Sustainability for 2027–2030 will include measures to support farmers and local authorities in managing natural resources more effectively. Among the proposed areas of focus are climate risk analysis and the planning of agroecological measures with the participation of all stakeholders.
