Challenges for agroecological and organic management of Cabruca cocoa agroecosystems in three rural settlements in south Bahia, Brazil: perceptions from local actors

摘要

Cabruca agroforestry systems play a crucial role as ecological corridors in biodiversity conservation on the south coast of Bahia. The decline in these agroecosystems due to land-use changes poses as a major threat to Atlantic Forest biodiversity conservation. Therefore, efficient agricultural extension actions towards the maintenance of these agroforestry systems are paramount. This research evaluated the process of construction and sharing of knowledge in agricultural extension practices toward agroecological management of the Cabruca in three agrarian reform settlements, and the challenges for the persistence of Cabruca in this region. We interviewed seven farmers and three extension agents from the Cabruca Institute. The study showed that most of the proposed practices adopted by farmers were already part of the traditional Cabruca management. The main limitations for the adoption of new practices were that they required increased labor, which is scarce and expensive. In fact, exodus and aging of the rural population remain major threats for long-term sustainability and persistence of Cabruca agroecosystems. Other limitations for organic management include the absence of differentiated price and marketing channels for organic cocoa and other products for the Cabruca social biodiversity. Although the process of construction and sharing of knowledge was participatory, overall community participation in the process was low. Extensionists should devise and implement innovative community engagement strategies to empower these small-scale farmer communities to ensure the persistence of Cabruca in the region and consolidate organic management of Cabruca agroecosystems.