Agroforestry systems as components of agroecological transition processes in Eastern Amazonia and associated public policy
Agroforestry systems as components of agroecological transition processes in Eastern Amazonia and associated public policy
wca2014-2174 Tatiana D. D. A. Sá 1,*Osvaldo R. Kato 2,Benito B. Calzavara 3,Kleber Perotes 3,Walkymário D. P. Lemos 4 1Forestry, 2Tipitamba Project, Embrapa Eastern Amazonia, Belem, PA, 3Forestry, IDEFLOR, 4Enthomology, Embrapa Eastern Amazonia, Belém, PA, BrazilAgroforestry systems are recognized as important components in the history of human occupation in the Amazon region, and nowadays are growing in importance as sustainable options supported by Brazilian public policies focusing towards local, territorial and regional development. This article will discuss about some important agroforestry systems presently practiced in this region of Brazil, how they may be faced as outstanding components in many agroecological transition processes, and how they are, directly or indirectly, being contemplated by a growing number of public policies, either in national or state level, as is the case of the new Brazilian forest code. This analysis attempts also to understand the real importance of agroforestry systems in relevant current issues, such as local and regional food sovereignty; water, carbon and nutrient cycling; integrated pest management (IPM), and additionally, to point to the need of considering a number of priorities in research, extension, communication, training/education, and policies formulation and implementation. Our article still raises the necessity of increasing the adoption of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches in agroforestry systems research.