HORTICULTURE IN THE UAUPES RIVER REGION, AMAZONAS

Abstract

The region of the Lower Uaup & eacute;s River- Amazonas, inhabited by different indigenous ethnicities, has a rich and little explored set of food plants, used by these communities, through a traditional cultivation system and complemented by the collection of species from the forest. In this context, and with the purpose of valuing traditional knowledge, the work aimed to research the traditional system of collection and cultivation, horticultural practices in multiethnic indigenous communities in this region. The communities practice subsistence horticulture in ro & ccedil;as, with cassava as the predominant crop and then pineapple. The cultivation of species is complemented in backyards, mainly by fruit species, with a predominance of a & ccedil;ai-do-par & aacute;, cupua & ccedil;u, a & ccedil;ai-do-mato and other species in smaller numbers. These communities have significant knowledge about horticultural techniques. The traditional knowledge associated with these practices becomes an important tool for conserving natural resources and guarantees food security in the region.