Indigenous agriculture in Brazil: review (2011-2021)

Abstract

Modern agricultural practices have caused severe impacts on nature, especially in traditional communities such as indigenous peoples, leading to the loss of knowledge about traditional agriculture. The objective of this study was to carry out a bibliographical survey of works on indigenous agriculture in Brazil in the period between 2011 and 2021. Papers in the form of thesis, dissertations and abstracts were excluded, as well as articles that, despite including the term indigenous agriculture in the text, did not address the subject as the main theme. The selected articles were analyzed in order to determine the main agricultural practices used by indigenous people in Brazil. Data analysis took place in a qualitative manner. The analyzed studies covered 69 ethnic groups and 87 ethnospecies were used in in their agriculture. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) stood out as the most important species. The plantations are established in backyards, on the outskirts of the village or in coivara (slash-and-burn) fields. The choice of location for the fields and the planting of species are based on the traditional knowledge of each ethnic group. Cutting, burning, planting, cleaning, and harvesting actions are generally governed by the seasons. Religious influences are also cited in some ethnicities. The analysis of the word cloud presents the main themes addressed in the publications and demonstrates the undeniable link between issues involving the environment and the traditional knowledge when the central theme is indigenous peoples. The works suggest that many ethnic groups preserve their traditional agricultural practices, however the influence and changes caused by the arrival of modern agriculture are also perceived and caused an impact on the eating habits of several ethnic groups.