Vila Nova do Ceira Agro-Silvo-Pastoral Cooperative

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Community Centre

District: Coimbra > Góis > Vila Nova do Ceira > Várzea Grande

Location

The Silvo-Agro-Pecuária Cooperative of Vila Nova do Ceira is located in the village of Vila Nova do Ceira, in the municipality of Góis, more precisely in the Várzea Grande area. Its presence at a central point in the village, close to Largo da Igreja, underscores its intrinsic connection to the community's life and daily routine. This location offers a direct perspective on the rural environment surrounding the village, where the landscape reflects the history and evolution of the local land use.

An Origin Marked by Change

Founded in 1968, the Silvo-Agro-Pecuária Cooperative of Vila Nova do Ceira was born during a period of economic transformation for the region. In the 1960s, traditional forms of subsistence, such as corn and olive oil farming and animal husbandry, which had defined the local economy for centuries, were losing vitality. Faced with this scenario, the communities and influential figures of the parish felt the need to find new avenues to boost development. The idea of creating a cooperative emerged as a response to discouragement and as a way to add value to land that, with the decline of animal husbandry, had become unproductive.

Shaping the Landscape and Local Economy

The creation of the Cooperative brought about a significant reorientation in land use in Vila Nova do Ceira. To provide additional income for farmers and to curb rural exodus, one of the strategies was to invest in eucalyptus cultivation. This tree species, which at the time was in high demand by the pulp industry in Portugal, represented a new and important source of income. Thus, the Cooperative actively contributed to shaping the landscape, integrating new practices that became fundamental to the economic revitalization of the area, always with an awareness of the importance of careful management of natural resources.

Vision for the Future and Adaptation

Throughout its existence, the Cooperative, which later changed its name to the Social and Agro-Forestry Cooperative of Vila Nova do Ceira, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to the demands of the times. Its initial activities, strongly linked to forestry, expanded with the creation of various sections over the decades, including areas for buying and selling, agricultural activities, social services, and general services. This evolution reflects a vision of sustainable and inclusive community development, focused on valuing local culture and values, and respecting the environment. Its mission is to promote the economic vitality of the region by offering products and services that sustainably contribute to local well-being and progress.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt