Resistir na terra: a luta camponesa pela conservação de etnovariedades de milho e feijão.

Abstract

The native seeds had a breeding process that took thousands of years, and are constantly evolving to adapt to the natural environment. Added to this, they carry a great deal of knowledge and traditions by the farmers, as they come preserving the seeds over the generations, creating a loop and a lot of knowledge with them. The varieties of corn and beans are the most important crops for family farmers, especially in the northeast where it is customary to plant in the form of dryland. With the advancement of technology, scientists have created genetically modified seeds, where they holds the full power of these seeds, taking away the autonomy of farmers. If genetically modified seeds invade the clearings of family farmers, they may be hostage of transgenic production companies because the creoles seeds would be lost. The Seed Banks appear to protect native seeds of this process of extinction. This study aimed to identify issues facing the conservation of native seeds, mainly maize and beans by the farmers of four rural communities in the municipality of Massaranduba-PB. To this it was applied 80 questionnaires, 20 in each community, with the purpose of understanding the conservation of seeds of passion starting the formulation of Community Seed Banks. The results show that some species are missing and others are in severe extinction process and Community Seed Bank training can be an alternative to protect those seeds.