THE RAÍZ QUILOMBOLA COMMUNITY IN MINAS GERAIS: GLOBALLY IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE SYSTEMS

Abstract

In 2020, the traditional farming system of Sempre-vivas flower gatherers, in the in the Southern Espinhaço Mountain Range of the Minas Gerais, became the first world agricultural heritage present in Brazil. International recognition was granted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the certificate of "Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems" (GIAHS). Therefore, this article presents the cultural tradition and agrobiodiversity present in the Raiz Quilombola Community, located in the city of Presidente Kubistchek, in Minas Gerais, one of the traditional communities of Espinhaço Mountain Range, that had the agricultural system recognized by FAO. This article also aims to discuss the community impacts of this certification. The methodology consists of literature review, participant observation and oral history. It was concluded that the FAO's recognition provided greater visibility to the group's ways of life, social struggles and artisanal and food products.