Agroecology and productive diversification of the Xapecó Indigenous Land

Abstract

The Xapecó Indigenous Land (T.I. Xapecó), located in the municipalities of Entre Rios and
Ipuaçu, Santa Catarina, Brazil, has as its main agricultural activity dairy cattle, an activity which
is very well seen by internal and external looks. However, the sustainability of a land is directly
linked to the diversity of activities developed in it. As a result, the rural extension worker from
the Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company of Santa Catarina saw the need to
change the scenario established there. Aiming at the sustainability and quality of life in T.I.
Xapecó, activities are being developed in the five villages of the municipality of Entre Rios,
bringing together agroecological packages, principles, practices and processes. They are initiatives
to raise awareness and apply productive systems with a focus on agrobiodiversity, such
as the establishment of vegetable gardens and orchards, agroforestry and medicinal gardens,
respecting local knowledge and the environment.