The agroecology power: How the environmental representation and management of leafcutting ants by peasants from Assentamento Denis Goncalves can be transformed

Abstract

The relationship between human beings and leafcutting ants is secular and emerged along with the agricultural practices for food production. The environmental representation of peasants about leafcutting ants may be related to their country life background, implying directly on the control method used by them to reduce agricultural losses. In this context, it was investigated the relationship between the peasants' socioeconomic profile with their environmental representations about leafcutting ants and used control methods. Eighty families from Assentamento Denis Goncalves (Brazilian Landless Workers' Movement) were interviewed, in order to socioeconomically characterize them and ask if they know the term agroecology, what are leafcutting ants, their ecological function and used control method. Two profiles were identified, one composed by older peasants who had never studied, did not know the term agroecology, had a negative conception about leafcutting ants and used commercial formicides. The second profile was constituted by peasants with the opposite characteristics of the first. Agroecology concepts and practices seem to have a high potential to change environmental representations about leafcutting ants and used control methods in the studied area. By comprehending the leafcutting ants' role in the ecosystem a gradative transition to alternative control methods rather than the commercial ones was observed. This gradual transition enables a better relationship between ADG peasants and leafcutting ants. The organic compounds commonly used are clues to the urgent search for a sustainable leafcutting ant control method.