The adoption of green manure processes applied to vegetable cultivation systems in mountainous environments of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of the current article is to analyze the construction process of participative agroecological knowledge in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The challenges resulting from the climate-related natural disaster-extreme event with heavy rains - that has affected the region in January 2011 were herein highlighted. Local data, a literature review and semi-structured interviews, conducted with participants from the study area, as well as a focus group involving key people, were used to observe social behaviors. Strategies aimed at expanding the adoption of agroecological practices, mainly the practices concerning the use of cover crops, were proposed. The need to adapt to farmers’ time and aspirations, inherent in the technological stage of each farmer, such as the economic gains resulting from the agroecological transition, was shown in the current study.

Keywords

• agroecology
• production systems
• cover crops