The meeting consolidates the strength of the Xingu Seed Network, the largest network of collectors in Brazil

2024-09-16 18:05:27

A meeting of the Xingu Seed Network, the largest network of collectors in Brazil, was held in São Félix do Araguaia (MT) | Bianca Moreno/ARSX

In order to promote the exchange of information, strengthen ecological restoration practices and celebrate the culture of the people of its territory, the Associação Rede de Sementes do Xingu (ARSX) held a meeting in São Félix do Araguaia (MT), on the 7 and September 8, Encontrão 2024.

Despite the smoke that still dominated the region, the 18th edition of the event – which takes place every two years – confirmed the strength of the largest network of indigenous seed collectors in Brazil against the climate crisis and its role in preserving the biodiversity.

By bringing together around 80 collectors, as well as guests from other seed networks in the country and strategic partners – such as the Instituto Socioambiental (ISA), the initiatives Redário and Caminhos da Semente and Operação Amazônia Nativa (OPAN) – Encontrão 2024 reaffirmed the importance of communication and cooperation to face the challenges posed by the current socio-environmental situation.

The program, put together based on the demands of the collecting groups themselves, included traditional songs, institutional presentations from the Xingu Seed Network and the Network’s Youth, information stations, a seed exchange fair and craft sales, as well as spaces for doubt about. seed processing, workplace safety and ecological restoration of collection areas.

Meetings of the Xingu Seed Network brought collectors, guests from other seed networks in the country and strategic partners Bianca Moreno/ARSX Articulação

The Meeting was also marked with “knowledge exchange stations”, through which participants shared processing techniques, storage, management of the Revolving Solidarity Fund and reform practices. Representatives from ISA and Xingu Soluções Ambientais enriched the discussion with their experience and knowledge.

Lara Costa, ISA technician, emphasized the importance of collaboration between organizations for the success of reform initiatives. “By working in partnership with the Instituto Socioambiental and using the seeds collected by the Xingu Seed Network, we have been able to expand the impact of restoration actions in Mato Grosso. This union of efforts is fundamental to the rehabilitation of local ecosystems and promoting sustainable practices.”

After that, Renato Nazário, ARSX technician, highlighted the restoration activities that the Network has been promoting since 2019. “We are doing intensive restoration work and we expect to expand these efforts further in the coming years. communities are essential to strengthen this initiative, which aims to preserve biodiversity and value traditional knowledge”, he said.

Participants shared seed processing techniques|Bianca Moreno/ARSX

Encontrão strengthened the knowledge and uses of seeds such as corn |

“The Xingu Seed Network is an inspiration for other networks. In that context, Redário had the opportunity to bring to the ARSX Meeting representatives of networks that are being trained in the principles of communicating the initiative, together with those that have already been communicated, such as the Cerrado Seed Network – which is active also in network governance – very beneficial networks”, analyzed Beatriz Murer, ISA technician and responsible for the ARCA Project, sponsor of Encontrão 2024, together with the Instituto Clima e Sociedade (ICS).

“It was very important to be at the Xingu Seed Network Meeting in São Félix for Araguaia, to get to know the network and new partners better and to understand the territory in more detail, a fundamental issue in the context of the ARCA project, which several activities will develop in the coming years”, said Murer.

Beatriz Murer, ISA technician, helps Ana Júlia, daughter of Marcos Lima and Milene Alves, from ARSX and Redário|Bianca Moreno/ARSX

From left to right, Milene Alves, from Redário and Bruna Ferreira and Claudia Araújo, directors of the Xingu Seed Network | Bianca Moreno/ARSX

Adding

On the eve of Encontrão 2024, young people from different territories gathered in the area of ​​activity of ARSX at the IV Encontro de Jovens da Rede de Sementes do Xingu, also in São Félix do Araguaia (MT), to discuss the role of the new generations. in the leadership of the Network, highlighting the importance of the transition from generation to generation and the transformative power of youth.

Held on the 5th and 6th of September, the Youth Gathering warmed up the space which would soon receive representatives from all the Gathering Groups of the Network with an expression of hope for the future of the planet. Among the participants, young people from the Xingu Kuyuwi, Matipu, Samauma, Kwarujá Collector Groups were present, as well as Xavante indigenous people from Marãiwatsédé TI and the villages of Ripá and Novo Paraíso, as well as family farming representatives from Poxoréu, São Félix do Araguaia and Santa Cruz do Xingu.

Young people from different territories within the field of activity of ARSX gathered at Youth Meeting IV Xingu Seed Network | Bianca Moreno/ARSX

“It was a period when the smoke was low and everyone was inhaling smoke all the time. Climate chaos and global distress were concretely felt. Therefore, it was possible to see how these issues engage with the Network and the young people of the seed network. The Youth Meeting was the time when the youth were asked to take their role, with the current leaders taking on other responsibilities. At the same time that the youngest person was 13 years old, some people in their late 20s gave a lot about the history of the network and the importance and power of transformation it brings”, said Beatriz Murer.

During a conversation led by Claudia Araújo, coordinator of the Strengthening of Sociobiodiversity nucleus and responsible for monitoring the ARSX Collector Groups, and with Paulo Sammarco, the future of the Network was discussed with a focus on succession and the participation of new generations.