The Caatinga, a biome found exclusively in Brazil, covers about 10% of the country’s territory, predominantly in the Northeast region, with small areas in northern Minas Gerais. Its name, of Tupi-Guarani origin, means “white forest,” in reference to the whitish appearance of the vegetation during the dry season, when the trees shed their leaves to reduce water loss. The climate is semi-arid, with average temperatures between 25°C and 30°C, and irregular rainfall concentrated in just a few months of the year. 

This biome is home to approximately 20 million people, whose survival depends on practices adapted to water scarcity, such as family farming and the raising of cattle, goats, and sheep. This direct relationship between communities and natural resources makes the biome vulnerable to human pressure, characterized by deforestation, inappropriate land use, and desertification processes. Despite its unique biodiversity and genetic richness, only a small portion is protected within conservation areas, which increases the risks posed by climate change.

Activity Diversity in the Caatinga
Family farming provides the livelihood for thousands of families in the Caatinga, who grow corn, beans, cassava, and native fruits such as umbu, Caatinga's passion fruit, and buriti. The management of these crops, adapted to water scarcity, highlights the creativity of the local farmers, who use agricultural methods with low environmental impact. In addition to agriculture, cattle, goat, and sheep ranching contribute to the region’s income, taking advantage of the biome’s robust vegetation and the hardiness of the species and breeds raised.

Activity Diversity in the Caatinga
Banco do Nordeste ranks among the leading agents of social and environmental transformation in the region. Through specific lines of credit, the institution encourages productive practices that balance income generation with environmental preservation. Innovative technologies—such as efficient irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and the promotion of agroecology—are supported with the goal of increasing farmers’ resilience to climate change.

Considering financial investments in the semiarid region, using refundable funds, and focusing on sustainable activities and environmental restoration (the FNE Verde Rural ABC, FNE Verde Irrigação, FNE Verde Rural, Pronaf Floresta, Pronaf Semiárido, Pronaf Agroecologia, and Pronaf Eco programs), Banco do Nordeste invested 773.4 million from 2023 to 2025.

In the field of Family Farming, which includes small-scale farmers, agrarian reform settlers, foresters, aquaculturists, gatherers, artisanal fishermen and fisherwomen, mariculturists, indigenous peoples, members of Quilombola communities, traditional peoples and communities, family farming associations, as well as settlers under the National Agrarian Reform Program (PNRA) and beneficiaries of the National Land Credit Program (PNCF), targeted investments totaled even more substantial amounts, exceeding R$ 22.09 billion invested during the same period. As a result, total investment in the semiarid region reached approximately 22.86 billion.

Challenges and Perspectives for the Future
Despite these investments, the Caatinga biome still faces significant challenges, such as deforestation and desertification, compounded by the impacts of climate change. In this context, sustainable investments play a fundamental role in environmental preservation and in improving the quality of life for local communities. The strengthening of family farming, combined with technological innovation, environmental stewardship, and respect for local customs and traditions, is emerging as a promising path toward harmonious coexistence with this unique Brazilian heritage.

In this way, the Caatinga reaffirms its role as the guardian of rare biodiversity and a space of opportunity. Communities, supported by policies and investments aimed at a better future, demonstrate that it is possible to unite tradition and innovation in the pursuit of sustainability.