Participatory evaluation of agroforestry systems in small properties in the South and Extreme South of Bahia.
Agroforestry Systems; Demonstration Units; Participatory Research
New models of agriculture are needed to promote sustainable food production and soil conservation. In that sense, agroecology emerges as more sustainable production model, which promotes the socioeconomic aspects of family farmers and environmental conservation. The agroforestry systems emerges as an alternative production that combines the cultivation of annual and perennial species, promoting balance and biodiversity. Cultivation of cassava for the production of flour and for consumption is an economic activity involving most of the families of farmers in the municipality of Aratuípe and Teixeira de Freitas, Bahia state, Brazil, being important not only for family income but also as a cultural activity. Currently, cassava planting in these regions consists of the slash and burn of areas of capoeira, followed by plowing and harvesting, generating compaction of the soil. Thus, more sustainable cultivation techniques are essential for these regions. The objective of this dissertation is to analyze, in a participatory way, the perspective of farmers with regard to the implantation of biodiverse Agroforestry Systems, using Demonstration Units as an instrument of awareness and discussion of the theme. It was observed that productive Demonstration Unities of SAF are essential to stimulate the adoption of these systems by the farmers.