Backyards Productive: contribution to food security and sustainable local development in the perspective of family farming (The case of Settlement Alegre municipality Quixeramobim/CE)

Abstract

The gardens, one of the oldest forms of land management, consisting of a combination of forest species, agricultural, medicinal and ornamental members, often the small animal husbandry. We evaluated the productive gardens and their contribution to food security and sustainable agricultural development. The study was conducted in Settlement Alegre municipality Quixeramobim - CE. We applied the Diagnostic methodology Analysis Agrarian System during Stage Housing Land Experience Program (PRA), Federal University of Ceará (UFC). In most gardens there are fruit trees (ata, acerola, banana, papaya, orange, mango etc.), Herbs (mint, mastruz, corama, lemongrass etc) and vegetables (onion, cilantro, chili etc.). Besides the ecological function and retain high plant diversity in its composition, ensuring the genetic variability of many species. These yards, while traditional agricultural systems, geared for subsistence, contribute mainly to diet and providing various products and services, therefore, the family income.