Agroforestry Backyards for Indigenous Resilience: A Participatory Study in Brazil

This study investigates the strategic role of agroforestry backyards in increasing food security and resilience in fenced Indigenous Lands, with a focus on the Guarani Mbya community in the Ribeirão Silveira Indigenous Land, Brazil. Using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, the research collaboratively adapted agroforestry models to small-scale backyard systems, responding to the logistical and management challenges of larger plots. The results demonstrate that these agroforestry backyards integrate traditional indigenous knowledge with agroecological practices, strengthen the food security of families, serve as spaces for the transmission of biocultural knowledge, and promote autonomy against external economic, territorial, and cultural pressures. The study highlights the critical importance of supporting small-scale agroecological initiatives within Indigenous Lands subject to urban and peri-urban influence. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of resilience strategies in Indigenous contexts and underscore the potential of participatory agroecology to sustain cultural identity, promote food sovereignty, and improve community well-being in rapidly changing landscapes.