Meshwork of agrobiodiversity: a South-brazilian case study

In this paper, the conservation of agrobiodiversity and the mitigation of genetic erosion are discussed, focusing on maize landraces in Ibarama, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Family farming is essential to maintain traditional cultivars, locally adapted and with high genetic diversity. On farm conservation, carried out by farmers, preserves these varieties, ensuring their sustainability. The study, involving 11 families, revealed that conservation is linked to social, cultural, economic, environmental, affective, and ethical factors. Farmers maintain cultivars for reasons such as food security, climate adaptation, pest resistance, and multifunctionality (human and animal consumption, handicrafts, and medicinal use), as well as cultural and affective values. Younger farmers prioritize productivity, while their older counterparts conserve diversity for cultural reasons. Women play a crucial role in seed management and selection. Finally, the interconnected relationships between people, cultivars, plants, animals, and other agricultural elements shape unique and dynamic landscapes that continuously evolve, forming an intricate meshwork.