Rural development and traditional practices of small-scale famers: the case of maize on Capivari Valley, Santa Catarina, Brasil

Abstract

The genetic diversity of the maize is important for millions of families of farmers in the whole world. The existence of populations of creole maize has fort relation with specific social processes. This study searchs to understand these social processes and its relation with the Brazilian politics of rural development. Between June of 2006 and November of 2009, 13 families of agriculturists in 3 cities on Capivari valley had been interviewed and visited to collect of qualitative data. From the analysis of the results, is possible to affirm that politics of rural development had contributed to modify the social processes that had historically promoted the diversity genetic of maize. Although this, some families of farmers still keeps mechanisms that integrate of complementary form the techniques of handling and election of maize seeds, the existence of nets of exchanges and the social cohesion