Creole maize seed exchange in Southwest São Paulo

Abstract

Creole maize seeds are present in most family farms in Southwest São Paulo State. The seed exchanges have been going on for years and they are essential for the maintenance of these materials. We aimed to find family farmers who maintain maize creole seeds in Southwestern São Paulo to verify which kinds of interactions in seed exchange occurred in 2019. We interviewed 12 family farmers who cultivate creole maize in this region and we geolocated their properties on a map. We found four nuclei of seed exchanges and three family farmers who do not exchange seeds. There are reciprocal exchange interactions among family farmers considered “guardians” of the local genetic diversity. The holding of seed exchange fairs facilitates the communication process among individuals, provides maintenance of the varieties of creole maize and increases the diversity of creole varieties from other cultures in Southwest of São Paulo.