ABSTRACT

On-farm conservation characterized by cultivation by smallholder farmers in agricultural and quilombola (formed by descendants of Afro-Brazilian slaves) communities is a tool for the maintenance of seeds and genetic diversity. Smallholder farmers who grow local varieties in diversity centers and communities contribute to supporting the capacity of agricultural and food systems to adapt to adverse conditions. Widely cultivated in the Northeast region of Brazil, lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L), despite having relative economic and social importance, is little exploited in terms of conservation aspects. Based on a process of participatory interview, this article documents the knowledge of smallholder farmers associated with local varieties of this species, as well as the practices and strategies used for on-farm conservation in three producing areas of northeastern Brazil. The results revealed that farmers have a low level of education; the main factor for the loss of traditional knowledge is the disinterest of younger people in agriculture. The study highlights the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with traditional knowledge to develop sustainable agroecosystems, in which on-farm conservation is an alternative to diversify agriculture, but which requires government and private support to stimulate and enhance agricultural activities and the interaction among smallholder farmers.

摘要

以小农在农业和 quilombola（由非洲裔巴西奴隶的后代形成）社区种植为特征的农场保护是维持种子和遗传多样性的一种工具。在多样性中心和社区种植当地品种的小农有助于支持农业和粮食系统适应不利条件的能力。巴西东北部地区广泛种植的利马豆（Phaseolus lunatusL) 尽管具有相对的经济和社会重要性，但在保护方面很少被开发。基于参与式访谈的过程，本文记录了与该物种当地品种相关的小农的知识，以及巴西东北部三个产区用于农场保护的实践和策略。结果显示，农民受教育程度低；传统知识丧失的主要因素是年轻人对农业不感兴趣。该研究强调了将科学知识与传统知识相结合以发展可持续农业生态系统的重要性，其中农场保护是农业多样化的替代方案，