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During the second half of the 20 th century, the introduction of new chemical agriculture technologies brought about a revolution in food production, but this has also cause deep deterioration in our relationships with the natural environment. In developing tropical countries, record yields were accompanied by rural exodus, widespread deforestation and loss of topsoil. The stonemeal research described herein is an alternative to such practices as it is an environmental friendly and socially responsible technology based on soil rejuvenation and conservation by means of the addition of natural rock powders that are rich in phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, potassium and micronutrients. The research adopted an inter-disciplinary approach and was conducted among small farmers of a rural community located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The major goal was to demonstrate that there is a harmless cheap and simple alternative to fertilizing degraded or impoverished soils, which allow farmers to sustain high productivity and to remain on their plots of land. Results have confi rmed the economic, environmental and productive feasibility and advantage of the stonemeal technique for corn, rise, manioc, sugar cane and horticultural species, when compared to the use of chemical fertilizers. The fertilization of the soil with rocks, allows the understanding of the natural processes, which maintain production levels while building a sustainable fertile soil.

"Let the beauty we love be what we do!"Hafi z ABSTRACTThe development process which humanity passed through favored a series of conquests, reflected in the better quality of life and longevity, however, it also provoked upsets and severe transformation in the environment and in the human food security. Such process is driving the ecosystems to be homogeneous, and, therefore, the nutrients' supply, via nourishment. To change this panorama, the present work discusses the gains of incorporating the stonemeal technique as a strategic alternative to give back the essential fertile characteristics to the soils. This technology has the function of facilitating the rejuvenation of the soils and increasing the availability of the necessary nutrients to the full development of the plants which is a basic input for the proliferation of life in all its dimensions.

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This study suggests the employment of accumulated sediments in the reservoir of Tucuruí (Pará /Brazil) to remineralize the surrounding degraded soils. The approach was based on the principles of stonemeal technology. It suggests that the soil can be rejuvenated by crushed rocks rich in macro and micronutrients. Removal of the sediments for agricultural use will bring benefits to family farmers and increase the life cycle of the reservoir and, therefore, energy generation. Geochemical data on retained sediments, soils and rocks in the area of influence of the reservoir were evaluated regarding nutrient transport mechanisms and soil-fertility potential. Results show that sediments from the reservoir contain nutrients levels at least one order of magnitude greater than average Amazon region soils. Our data on soil use and occupation in the region show the degradation areas which could be recovered by stonemeal techniques. Thence, an Agroforestry System was installed, with 12 plots where different mixtures of sediments removed from the reservoir were used, along with crushed rock with or without the addition of NPK and manure. The experiments showed that maximum crop yield and plant growth were attained in the plots where a mixture of sediments, crushed rocks and manure were added.

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Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa em desenvolvimento por cientistas brasileiros e de três países africanos (Angola, África do Sul e Camarões). O fio condutor da pesquisa foi a tecnologia da rochagem, que prevê a adição de rochas moídas, que contenham uma ampla variedade de agrominerais, para melhorar os índices de fertilidade dos solos. A partir de interesses comuns - a expansão da pesquisa sobre remineralização dos solos agrícolas e a difusão da tecnologia, o grupo visa principalmente a formalização e consolidação de uma rede de cooperação científica Sul-Sul (afro-brasileira) com ênfase em tecnologias agroecológicas. O incremento dos níveis de fertilidade permite o aumento da produção e contribuí para de segurança alimentar/nutricional e ambiental em meio aos agricultores familiares desses países. Apesar dos diferentes estágios em que se encontram as pesquisas nos quatro países, os resultados já alcançados são muito positivos, pois indicam que pressupostos científicos, socioeconômicos e políticos, até então intransponíveis, podem ser alterados. Palavras-Chave: Rochagem, Agricultores Familiares Afro-brasileiros e Agroecologia  The Importance of a Stonemeal Technological Network for Sustainability in Tropical Countries  ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of a research being developed by scientists from Brazil and three African countries: Angola, South Africa and Cameroon. The main guide line of the research was stonemeal technology, which provides improvements on the rates of soil fertility by the addition of crushed rocks, which contain a wide variety of Agrominerals. Starting from interests in common – such as the expansion of research on soil remineralization and the diffusion of agricultural technology -, the group aims mainly to formalize and consolidate a South-South (African-Brazil) cooperation network in science with emphasis on agro-ecological technologies. Despite allowing an increased on production levels, the enhance of fertility levels also contributes to the food / nutrition and environmental security among small farmers in those countries. In spite of the different stages of the research is taking place in the four countries, the achieved already are very positive, once they indicate that scientific, socioeconomic and political assumptions hitherto insurmountable, can in fact be changed. Keywords: Stonemeal, Afro-Brazilian Small Farmers and Agroecology

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