December 28, 2022

06:12

Mencius Melo – from Amazon Agency

MANAUS – The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) recently published a study on agricultural and extractive productions, according to the colour or race groups of its producers. The 2017 Agro Census cut out indigenous populations and indicated that the highest percentages of indigenous producers are in the North (5.0%) and Midwest (1.29%) regions. Roraima (33.63%), Amazonas (20.43%), Amapá (10.96%), Acre (6.09%) and Mato Grosso do Sul (4.52%) have the highest numbers of indigenous producers.

The census pointed out specific territorial clippings on indigenous lands distributed throughout the country and Conservation Units – Extractive Reserves (Resex), Sustainable Development Reserves (RDS) and National, State and Municipal Forests. For Marta Antunes, of the Traditional Peoples and Communities Census, the study points to the family as the productive link. “This occurs, mainly, in establishments dedicated to self-consumption. In establishments run by indigenous people we also find a greater diversity of products, which leads to more food security for these families”, she explained.

The IBGE survey also shows that the activities linked to planting and cultivation by indigenous communities and families have purposes established in the need for consumption. In 67.08% of agricultural establishments on indigenous lands, the main purpose of horticultural production is for the consumption of the producer and his family. Among the total number of establishments found by the Agro Census 2017, this percentage is lower (43.54%).

Healthy and diverse

Besides being familiar, the crops practiced by indigenous communities are diverse and with a higher degree of healthiness. Among the populations surveyed, 88.01% of establishments run by indigenous people did not use pesticides. The percentage falls if observed in the other populations. The black (76.86%), brown (74.73%), yellow (59.56%) and white (55.88%) populations. Indigenous people have more diversified production (43.24%), classified as diversified and very diversified, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) classification of degree of specialization.

According to agriculture technician and anthropologist Alvatir Carolino, it is interesting to observe the survey. “It is interesting to note that the result points to the North because, in fact, it is in the North of the country that most indigenous populations are concentrated”, he detailed. Alvatir also highlights that the complexity of the Amazon imposes conditions on indigenous populations. “It is necessary to understand research under the realities imposed by the Amazon and by the very culture of these peoples. There are peoples who do not see agriculture as we do. The Tariano have their fields, while the Gau prefer not to have them”, he noted.

“There are complexities, diversities and systems in these peoples that not even geographical statistics can account for the production. The Gau, the Makú, prefer not to have their own fields, and the agricultural system is completely different because they are peoples who move in various regions of the upper Negro River”, he analysed. “The Mura, from the Muraí village, in the Autazes area, stopped raising cattle after the demarcation of their land. And now they are turning to extractive forestry, nuts and babassu”, said Alvatir.

Ancestry

The technician explains that even with the abundance of babassu in the Mura region, the Mura themselves did not know exactly how to exploit the fruit. “They heard that the ancients had heard that the ancients worked the babassu in such a way, that is, it was necessary to develop research to find ways of using babassu by the Mura. As they are now in the web of the consumer market, Ifam is developing techniques to establish agroindustrial products from babassu, and thus makes the Mura self-sustainable in extractivism”, advanced.

On the issue of pesticide use, Alvatir Carolino explains: “As a technician and anthropologist, we have dialogued with many peoples about agricultural production. We have, via Ifam, the agroecology course, which guides indigenous peoples who already live the fundamentals of a market society to keep away from so-called conventional agriculture that uses synthetic fertilization and the use of biocides, so there is the possibility of increasing production with organic products”, he said.

“It is proven that organic products have enormous market power in Brazil, even more when they carry food safety seals. With this perspective it is possible to greatly increase production. To get an idea, organic products in the city of Manaus reach 300% more expensive than conventional ones. Bringing certification seal with two added values, which are the fact of being organic and come from an indigenous land, these products gain even more a huge market value”, Alvatir stressed.

Production

The IBGE survey also brought data on production and the crops most commonly grown among indigenous peoples. Among the most cultivated products by indigenous people, according to the Agro Census 2017, are pepper, cará and sweet potato. In temporary farming, the products most present in the establishments run by indigenous people are, in descending order, manioc, corn grain, pineapple and beans.