When the Açaizal becomes an Agroforestry System:dialogue of knowledge in the construction of sustainable production systems in the community of northeast Pará

Abstract

This article discusses the importance of the dialogue of knowledge to the adoption of agroforestry
systems (SAFs), based on the analysis of the management practices of açaizais adopted
by peasants of Monte Sião community, in northeastern Pará. The quantitative-qualitative
approach was adopted, using semi-structured questionnaires for 38 peasants adopting SAF as
the predominant production system, as well as interviews with key actors. It was identified that
SAF, understood by the peasants as “açaizal”, was a practice learned from the ancestors and
disseminated among the generations, and this is constantly improved, due to the need of food
production to the family. The dialogue between peasants, starting with mutual help / interchanges,
and with researchers in technical skills also plays an important role in the consolidation of
the systems. It is concluded that local knowledge in dialogue with scientific knowledge, allows
the adoption of sustainable production systems