Participatory diagnosis of Sergipe creole seed guardians: exchanges, multiplication, and seed and knowledge exchange

Abstract

Agrobiodiversity gives the territories autonomy and food security. The objective of this study
was to identify family farmers, seed keepers, characterizing agrobiodiversity in the territories
of Alto Sertão and Baixo São Francisco de Sergipe. A participatory assay of maize and beans
varieties was installed, identifying the performance of the creole seeds. Along with the
guardians were five exchanges, two seed fairs, two seed houses and two multiplication fields.
In the family banks the guardians conserve 8 varieties of starter beans, 16 varieties of corn,
15 varieties of fava, 8 varieties of string beans and andu, besides a series of unconventional
plants and fruits of the caatinga and the Atlantic forest . These extension actions contributed
to the recovery of the peasant identity and the extension of the creole varieties, threatened by
the simplification of agroecosystems.