Joint actions to safeguard bean seeds from Rio de Janeiro farmers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19180/2447-8180.v6n2023p117-127Keywords:
Custodian farmers, Shared seed management, Family farming, Seed conservationAbstract
Family-based farm units are still repositories of the diversity of agricultural cultures, closely related to the autonomy and food security of farmers and their cultural traditions. Beans are a typical species of Brazilian agricultural systems. However, the state of Rio de Janeiro has been drastically reducing its planting, with the potential for genetic and cultural erosion. Since 2015, the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF) has been investigating the diversity of common beans grown in this state, with visits to farmers in 29 municipalities, with the support of EMATER. UENF carried out collections and characterized the varieties cultivated by rural producers. In addition, the university has taken actions to support and strengthen farmers in the conservation of diversity, such as the establishment of ex situ conservation; holding events to promote and enhance local diversity and seed custodians; the construction of a pioneering Shared Management Agreement for varieties; participation in the “UENF Itinerant Science Fair”, and the production of the bean diversity catalog. In this experience report, such actions are presented and discussed, focusing on the partnership established with rural producers.Downloads
Published
12-05-2023
Issue
Section
Relato de experiência