Custodians of common bean diversity in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil: revealing their socioeconomic and environmental profile

This study revealed the profile of common bean farmers in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One hundred and thirty-eight farmers from 24 municipalities were interviewed. We observed that common beans are a key component of agricultural systems in this state, with the number of varieties managed by family varying widely (from one to 11). This variation was influenced by socioeconomic, ecogeographic, and cultural factors. An impressive number of common bean varieties were being managed by farmers who resided at mid-altitude zones and combine subsistence crops with market-oriented cultivation. In three of five mesoregions visited, the traditional agriculture has been affected by climate changes. The majority of farmers who managed low diversity of common beans, and all farmers who stopped growing this crop in recent years resided in these regions. Facing the risk of genetic erosion, farmers, researchers and extension workers involved in this research are building strategies to strengthen the conservation of this local germplasm. Actions are underway with public agencies to enhance the importance of self-consumption cultures for food security, local development and conservation of cultural traditions. Among these, we highlight the publication of Catalogo da Diversidade Feijao-comum do estado do Rio de Janeiro. In addition, an ex-situ conservation agreement was established for the varieties, with a strong participation of custodians, to provide greater security to the local common bean germplasm.