Quintais do Fojo: etnobotânica e costumes da agroecologia no entorno do Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, município de Guapimirim-Rj (Brasil)

Abstract

This study addresses aspects of a rural agroecological community called Fojo, surrounding the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, at the town of Guapimirim, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, with the aim of identifying useful plants and the lifestyle of its people, in the light of ethnobotany and ethnography. For fifty years, management techniques in natural plantations have supported families with the selective production of organic vegetables, fruits and artisanal products for fairs and markets. The selection of participants was carried out by recommendation from the leaders, through the Parnaso team and after the presentation of the research proposal, on the free initiative of the farmers themselves. Nine participants in six properties with guided tours responded to semi-structured interviews. The agroforestry knowledge and methods maintained by old farmers in Fojo influenced young people, farmers, university students and teachers, who migrated from cities to the countryside and remained there. Fojo is organized into an association and participates in local and national agroecological networks and movements. Plants such as bananas, cocoa, Amazonian palm hearts, tropical fruits, coffee and shiitake mushrooms are sold. Culture in agroforests contributes to food diversity, school meals and the conservation of the Atlantic Forest. The backyards and forests of Fojo have niches of native species at risk such as the juçara palm (Arecaceae Euterpe edulis Mart.) and the rare medicinal plant carapiá (Moraceae Carapya arifolia Lam.). The location of Fojo, due to the presence of Parnaso, forests and slopes, is quite protected from large floods, but an increase in the strength of storms has been noticed in recent years. Farmers still do not have full access to city transport, public health, postal services and care for rural roads, especially when transporting agricultural products to markets and fairs. Women and men, agroforestry masters believe that they are guardians of nature and that their work with plants is very important for the future