Célio Rodrigues de Morais comes from a family of farmers. Farming entered the family many years ago.
years, with their great-grandparents who came from Italy, and started the cultivation of coffee and rope tobacco to
household sustenance. Since then, from generation to generation, the vocation to cultivate plants only
grown up.
A resident of the Marianos neighborhood, Célio, he spent much of his life dedicated to the site, but
has also worked with several other things: in a hotel, monitoring children at school,
as a seed collector for the production of native seedlings. He completed his studies, graduated in
biology and today, he “returned to his roots” and works with what makes his eyes shine: the
organic production. In his garden, he produces a little of everything, vegetables, fruits, roots, vegetables,
“Separating the products for the fair, we came to list twenty different items of our production”, says
he satisfied.
But in the midst of so much variety, tomato production is his favorite. “The farm is beautiful.
tomato. Also, it's a big challenge to produce it. We are few producers of a fruit that
everyone wants to have it on the table, in their salad”, says Célio.
Rural life has its challenges. Unseasonal heavy rains, poorly defined seasons and
so many other adversities. “Although today we have more inputs and technology, we feel that our
biggest challenge is climate change. 20 years ago, when we started, the challenges were different and the
organic agriculture was little known”.
Célio is an example to be followed. For those who identify so much with plants, there was no lack of
inspiration for him to keep planting. In addition to his vegetables, Célio is also a planter of
forest and knows the value that native forests have on their property. “Nature provides a service to
people, which is free, and not always people or producers appreciate it. Water, pollination,
biological control of pests in our farming. This is priceless”, comments Célio.
May Célio's example inspire more people to maintain a healthy and harmonious relationship
with nature. Because as he himself says, “organic agriculture is a partner of the environment.
It is good for everyone, for those who plant, for those who consume and also for nature”.
Célio received support for the recovery of his forest through Verde Novo, a project carried out by
Copaíba, sponsored by Petrobras, through the Petrobras Socio-environmental Program. To know
more enter the site.