Biodiversity and family agriculture in Joanópolis, São Paulo State, Brazil: economic potential of the local flora

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to study the economic potential of the local flora in order to point out or reinforce new productive chains based on biodiversity. The project was carried out with family farmers in the municipality of Joanópolis, in São Paulo State, Brazil. The work consisted of surveying the local flora by means of collections in all the properties benefited by the project and subsequent herborization. The visits were made annually, one in each season The species in the reproductive stage, with flowers and/or fruits, were collected for botanical identification. The collected species were evaluated in relation to their traditional use by the local population and the information obtained was systematized in a table as alternatives for agricultural production. As a result, we have listed more than a hundred possibilities from the local biodiversity for economic use and income generation.

Keywords:
agroecology; economic botany; economic use of biodiversity; sustainable rural developmen