THE CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTATION THE CROP-LIVESTOCK-FORESTRY INTEGRATION FOR SMALL PRODUCERS

Abstract

The Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration (CLFI) is an agricultural production strategy that innovatively combines agricultural, livestock, and forestry activities within the same area. It was developed to optimize land use and promote synergy among its components, aiming to balance productive efficiency, environmental conservation, and economic viability. CLFI allows for the rotation, intercropping, or succession of crops, pastures, and tree species, reducing the need to clear new areas and mitigating environmental impacts. Given this context, the present study aimed to understand the possible barriers that small-scale farmers face in implementing this system on their properties. To achieve this, a literature review was conducted using scientific databases such as Google Academic and SciELO, searching for relevant articles on the topic published between 2020 and 2025. In Brazil, the adoption of this system has been encouraged by public policies through research and access to credit, resulting in approximately 17.4 million hectares already implemented nationwide. However, given the information found in the present study, it became clear that the main challenges in implementing the system were the lack of capital and appropriate machinery to initiate the system, the lack of technical support from trained professionals, and the complexity of managing the integrated activities.