01 |
Family farming
|
In Colinas do Tocantins-TO area served by AFSZD, a great deal of the population live in rural areas in small and medium-sized properties and plots of land in INCRA settlement projects. Therefore, the study of this theme was justified because the peasants’ children need to know what family farming is, its social and economic importance for the community, the participation of families in the production process, the main products cultivated, experimental planting in the rural school, potentialities, types of funding, government programs for the purchase of food from family farming, etc. The planned activities include a visit of the class to a property where family farming is conducted. |
02 |
Soil
|
The use of soil, whether for food or pasture cultivation, if conducted in an inappropriate manner, can cause environmental problems such as erosion (aggravated by deforestation and uncontrolled burning). The objective of studying the theme is to help young people learn about the types of soil, composition, management and conservation, correction for planting, especially those in the area where they live. In addition, the study’s goal is to lead the students to a better understanding of the type of soil in the property/community where they live. |
03 |
Poultry breeding
|
The poultry rearing in small quantities, mainly rustic hens, is a very common activity in the properties/communities in the Colinas do Tocantins area. Therefore, in addition to knowing techniques capable of helping improve management, feeding, production of this type of animal and the trade of excess production, the theme was proposed also because it creates conditions for young people to learn about large-scale poultry production in the farms. One of the activities planned in the study of the theme is to take the students to visit a poultry farm. |
04 |
Gardening and landscaping
|
As much as it is a theme with a still limited economic vocation in the region surrounding AFSZD, its study is important because gardens (either small or large) are present in everybody’s home and help change the landscape of the environment. It also creates opportunities for students to improve planting techniques, fertilization, pruning plants, etc. The practical activities listed include a visit the class will pay to a local flower shop and students’ participation in the (re)construction of the school’s own garden. |
05 |
Olericulture
|
Olericulture is a very important activity for families in the region. In addition to producing vegetables (lettuce, scarlet eggplant, cabbage, coriander, parsley, chives, cucumber, tomato, okra, zucchini, etc.) for their own consumption, the surplus production is marketed at fairs and markets by farmers. Therefore, the theme was chosen to help students learn about the importance of vegetables in nutrition, techniques to improve cultivation, production marketing and commercial potential of products. The practical activities involve visiting a large vegetable garden in Colinas do Tocantins and conducting experiments in AFSZD’s own vegetable garden. This theme is also intended to help students improve or build vegetable gardens in the properties where they live, thus improving the families’ eating and income. |
06 |
Fish farming
|
Fish farming does not require large extensions of land for tank installation and is increasing in the region where AFSZD is located. It is sufficient for the property to have water to build the tank. The choice of this theme for study was because students need to know the importance of eating fish for health, the techniques employed in fish farming, appropriate areas to install a pond, and the advantages of this type of activity for small farmers. In this study the class visits a property to learn about fish farming, including the species of fish produced. |
07 |
Beekeeping
|
Since the late 1990s, honey production has been growing in and around Colinas do Tocantins. Proof of this is an association of beekeepers in town. In proposing the study of this theme, the goal is to help young people learn beekeeping techniques, species, honey extraction, the importance of honey for health and marketing of products. The study also aims to show students that, like others, beekeeping is a suitable activity for small properties and quite profitable. One of the hands-on activities is to enable young people to get to know an apiary installed in the rural school area. |
08 |
Agroextractivism
|
Although families develop other activities in their properties, vegetable extractivismis recurrent in Colinas do Tocantins and region. The most widely collected fruits of the savanna biome are: pequi, buriti, murici, cajá, and bacaba. The families collect these fruits both for their themselves and to sell the surplus of raw fruits and its by-products (preserves, pulp, and candies). The study of the theme aims to show the economic importance of these products for small farmers and the role of nature preservation to ensure the continuity of production, since deforestation and burning are destroying the biome of the region, which is the savanna. |