Sistemas de cultivo e conservação da diversidade da mandioca em duas comunidades ribeirinhas do Rio Solimões, Amazonas, Brasil

Abstract

On can consider that traditional agricultural farming practice focused on production food can contribute to the conservation of agrobiodiversity in the Brazilian Amazon, since local agroecossistemas tend to be more diversified than conventional farming and are composed of species and varieties of considerable importance to humans. This study compared the different dynamics productive of manioc systems (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in two traditional communities located in floodplain (Nossa Senhora das Graças, Manacapuru, AM) and another in uplands (Santa Luzia Buiuçuzinho, Coari, AM). On the assumption that floodplain and upland communities have different ways to manage local resoerces, the results have shown that the manioc presented considerable differences as to the origin of genetic material, purpose of cultivation, cultural practices, timing, number and uses of varieties grown, meal production techniques and commercialization. In this context, the manioc production system can have multiple patterns, from those very similar to indigenous production systems to other forms of production, incorporating new technologies, and based on the diversification of production. The variables that make up this complex system of production may be dependent on various factors, including the cultural, ecological, social and economic.