Agrodiversidade e cadeia produtiva do cará (Dioscorea spp.) na agricultura familiar: um estudo etnográfico no município de Caapiranga-AM

Abstract

Aiming to achieve a comprehensive agronomic study on the agro-biodiversity conservation and the supply chain of or yam (Dioscorea spp.) originated from family farms in the municipality of Caapiranga in Amazonas State, an ethnographic research was conducted with contributions from approaches of ethnobotany, participatory analysis of four-cell, qualitative analysis and rapid diagnosis of supply chains, through the use of proper tools such as surveys, interviews, participant observation, soil analysis, chemical analysis and botanical identification. In the localities surveyed, the cultivation of yam revealed itself not just as an important commercial activity, but also as a cultural symbol that makes Caapiranga´s farming communities and their territories full of feelings for the place and the cultivation of yam. In order to achieve sufficient production and their sustainability, family farmers carry out the practice of mutual aid such as: mutirão , troca-de-dia or parceiria/meia , but what stands out is the itinerant ajuri . It was found that the whole family participates in the production units and tasks performed in the houselholds. Depending on the work and the financial condition of the farmer, it is often necessary external force identified as a temporary appointment, called diária "avulso" and / or "acessório" work. The research on yam agro-biodiversity revealed that farmers recognize fifteen varieties, however, grow only eleven of these. The varieties still grown are: Roxão , Macaxeira , Pata-de-onça , Ovo-de-cavalo , Durão , Inhame , Rabo-de-mucura , Miguel e Cará-do-ar . It is believed that all these belong to species D. trifida except cará-do-ar that belongs to the species D. bulbifera. As for varieties that are no longer cultivated: Cará-alemão , Cará-creme , Cará-sucuriju and Cará-espinho , the first two may be D. trifida, in accordance with the ethnobotanical descriptors, while the latter two need accurate botanical identification. Slash and burning of natural vegetation are done in the implementation of yam cultivated plots. The cultivation system follows a rotational system of soil management, i.e., the fields where yam is grown are used for a maximum of three years, and then left to fallow. For planting, high holes are made, with 0.80 m in diameter and 0.40 m high and 0.20 m deep, the spacing used by 42% of farmers is 1x1m between the pits. There is no standardized spacing between rows and final arrangement of plants in gardens is dense. In crop management, there is a consortium with cassava which serves as a support for the yam. Due to diversification in yam plots, pests and diseases do not cause economic damage. The harvest of the tubers is performed at different times in relation to age of plantation crop cycle, allowing offseason. Although the acidic soil with pH 4.5 in average and low in nutrients, and non-use of conventional inputs and mechanization, the production of 15 ton.ha-1 is considered good by the local agricultural agencies. Due to its positive social and environmental characteristics, the cultivation of yam is presented as a promising economic activity for the region, mainly in the municipality of Caapiranga. For developing such potential, actions are required to fortify family production systems based on expansion of technical-scientific research to promote the unity of knowledges for the conservation of agricultural biodiversity and the promotion of the productive chain of the culture of character for the Amazon region.