A conservação da agrobiodiversidade sob a perspectiva dos guardiões de sementes crioulas

Abstract

Knowing the existence of creole seeds guardians in the Southwest region of Paraná, but not having access to a mapping of guardians, the present research through a methodology based on the indication from key informants (snowball) searched by guardians of creole seeds with the purpose of understanding the universe inherent in these farmers. In total eight mapped guardians and four were interviewed, of which three belong to the Southwest region of Paraná and one to the West region of Santa Catarina. Creole seed guardians are farmers who receive this informal title by dedicating themselves to preserving creole seeds on their properties (conservation on farm), analyzing the man-nature relationship of four seed guardians, it was possible to perceive that the agrobiodiversity present in these properties is manifested in a natural way, since the presence of diversity is mandatory in this scenario. These farmers have characteristics that make them family farmers, among them the following: family labor, polyculture, self-consumption and social participation. As for the universe inherent to these farmers, these reproduce the knowledge of traditional agriculture passed on by the family, through generations. The four guardians interviewed manage their properties holistically and favor sustainable forms of production and have little dependence on external inputs. Still about the creole seeds: the harvest is manual, drying in the sun, the storage is mostly in liters of plastic and the exchanges are in seed parties. Only here are added more than 500 varieties of creole seeds that according to them need support from the state, society and educational institutions. The maintenance and reproduction of traditional knowledge inherited by these farmers is the main form of resistance to agribusiness and also results in something sought after by all of them, autonomy. Agrobiodiversity intrinsic to how these farmers relate to nature suggests that actions related to the introduction of agrobiodiversity in rural areas should not be limited to the environmental sphere but also consider cultural and symbolic aspects.