Bringing Spice To A Hot Land

 

Email To A Friend

Please fill in the following information and we'll email this link.

Separate multiple addresses with commas

SPONSORED BY
 

So far the work is paying off. Eleven family businesses in Baixas are now making a good part of their income from the peppers. Customers include a posh beach inn, a gourmet restaurant and a major Brazilian food distributor, which is spreading the Tapera brand to stores throughout the northeast. Sales already cover operating costs, and by next year, Fonseca says, the farmers in Baixas should be in the black. He also says Eco-Engenho has been taking calls from NGOs as far away as West Africa and Portugal, all looking to replicate his system. Already, Fonseca is dreaming of other high-end products that might be grown hydroponically, like capers, asparagus and organic foods. "Poor people won't prosper by selling only to the poor," he says. "I want them to sell to the wealthy." That might just bring the rich world a little closer to tiny hamlets like Baixas.

© 2007

Label

Newsweek Top Stories
Al Gore's Climate-Change Evolution
Al Gore's Climate-Change Evolution

Using emotion to convince people to change.

Heaven Can Wait
Heaven Can Wait

A new book promises proof of eternal life.

The World's Biggest Foods
The World's Biggest Foods

Monster edibles from around America.

Discuss

Sponsored by

Member Comments

  • Posted By: phiomalibumalibu @ 01/23/2008 1:28:39 PM

    Jos?? Roberto Fonseca should be awarded for his excellent research and actually DOING something to help the people of this poor region of the world. We should all take his example. sunlighttech.com has some excellent solar incentive programs that we should all be doing here at home.

  • Posted By: diegokmg @ 12/14/2007 3:33:00 PM

    He beliefs in what none can even imagine. Diego, Parana, Brazil.

  • Posted By: JanineTavares @ 12/14/2007 8:11:15 AM

    This is the result of an excellent work executed by serious and honest people. As a brazilian woman born in Macei??, Alagoas, I???m very happy to see my State in the headlines for a good reason. Congratulations for Jos?? Roberto Fonseca and all the staff of EcoEngenho. It would be excellent if brazilian politicians got inspired and did similar actions to the poor people in my country. Janine Tavares, Alagoas -Brazil

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse

My Take

Customize the NEWSWEEK homepage
to feature your favorite columnists.

Customize Now