Participatory research processes for the production of plant material in food security context

Abstract

The production of quality seed constitutes one of the main challenges for food security and sovereignty of both urban and rural populations, requiring processes that recognize not only the potential of the territories but also the diversity associated with peasant communities and their forms of production. , so as to reduce the gaps resulting from the use of seeds of low or no physical, genetic, physiological and sanitary quality that reduce the impact on the yields of banana, pineapple and cassava crops. To this end, a participatory research process was carried out to meet the demand for projects that improve the food and nutritional security of the population of the department of Casanare - Colombia. As a result, the methodology was implemented based on meetings with producers of productive systems for the construction of knowledge from social cartography, the preparation of economic calendars and mappings of actors and needs. This reading of the environments allowed the development of activities for the participatory selection of planting materials, processes of intensive multiplication of materials, as well as the transformation and production of banana, pineapple and cassava derivatives. The conclusions have to do with the importance of considering the producer as an active participant in the research processes in the construction of knowledge that contributes to the generation and appropriation of solutions based on science, technology and innovation in favor of food security and with this the reduction of poverty. In the near future, it is planned to carry out a training process for trainers with allied universities to leave installed capacities and to promote access and availability of quality seed.