The Guarani Mbya, agricultural system and its maize varieties: A case study

The agricultural system practiced by some Guarani Mbya families living in the Southeastern region of Brazil was studied, following a particular description. The place chosen for this case study was the Guarani Yvyty settlement, a Guarani Mbya community located at Cardoso Island, city of Cananeia, Sao Paulo State, Brasil. Some aspects of the traditional farming practices of the avaxi etei, traditional varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) cultivated therein, were focused as it pursues the in situ conservation of the maize. The study was based on fieldwork techniques usually adopted in the social sciences: direct observation in the field and information assessment from key informers who answered a semi-structured questionnaire. The data demonstrate that the in situ conservation of the studied maize varieties is made possible because of the several mechanisms forming their agricultural system. They provide the maintenance and the increase of the genetic variability of maize varieties. Among these mechanisms, the constant practice of maize varieties exchange between Guarani Mbya families can be cited.