Protective and destructive processes of food and nutritional sovereignty and security in the Tirecatinga Indigenous Land, Sapezal, Mato Grosso

Abstract

This article aims to identify the protective and destructive processes of food and nutritional sovereignty and security, from the perspective of the indigenous peoples of Tirecatinga, an indigenous land located in the municipality of Sapezal, in the state of Mato Grosso. This is a qualitative research, based on the theory of social determination proposed by Breilh. Semi-structured interviews and conversation circles with men and women were used, with the theme of Territory. Among the results, the food insecurity of these indigenous peoples, whose lands are surrounded by cotton and soy monocultures, and its most perverse effect, hunger, is evident. The protective processes mentioned include the territory, traditional subsistence practices, social programs, food sharing, the Thutalinansu Organization and financial resources from mechanized farming existing on indigenous land. The destructive processes are the ineffectiveness of social programs, the construction of hydroelectric plants, mechanized farming, the increase in wild pigs and the aerial spraying of pesticides on crops surrounding indigenous land. Understanding the protective and destructive processes of food security for the indigenous peoples of Tirecatinga is essential for the construction of policies that promote the sovereignty and food and nutritional security of these peoples.