Agroecological cultivation of gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)

a sustainable alternative as raw material for the production of handicrafts by women in family farming in Pontal, Ituiutaba/MG.

Abstract

The use of the term porongo is more common in the South and Southeast regions of the country, while in the North and Northeast regions it is common for people to treat this fruit as gourd or gourd. A species belonging to the cucurbit family, its cultivation and management is relatively simple and economically viable when compared to other crops of greater commercial interest. Thus, this work aimed to implement two agroecological cultivation systems in an area provided by the Association of Family Farmers of Pontal (AAFAP) in the municipality of Ituiutaba – MG and to outsource the fruit as raw material in the making of handicrafts by women artisans in the region. The entire production cycle was conducted from May to December 2023. The mandala and tire suspension cultivation systems were adopted and the management was differentiated. At the end, a conversation circle was held among women farmers in order to stimulate scientific knowledge, make them aware of the agroecological cultivation of small areas and bring them closer to the cultural and therapeutic aspect in the manufacture of handicrafts. To continue the project, future actions were planned, among which the partnership with the Minas Gerais Institute of Agriculture (IMA) stood out, serving as an active mediator of the project between the family productive communities of the micro-region and with the Zumbi dos Palmares Municipal Foundation (FUMZUP) to supply raw material from sustainable production and manufacture of handicrafts, providing support for women who live in the countryside and who are also part of the production chain.