LIMA BEAN AND FAMILY FARMING IN FERRARIA, PARAÍBA, BRAZIL

Abstract

The lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) originated in central region of Mesoamerica and it is currently produced in many countries of the continents: Europe, America, Africa, and Asia. It is popularly known as lima bean, butter bean, or sieva bean, among others. In the Northeastern Region of Brazil, the state of Paraiba has the best productivity rates with a yield of 424 kg ha-1. Its use in the family food diet has singular importance as a source of protein and as an alternative food to cowpea beans and pinto beans. The goal of this study was to evaluate the production of lima bean concerning its conservation, use and relevance to family farming in municipality of Serraria, state of Paraíba, Brazil. The survey was carried out in 30 family production units, where a questionnaire, which had been previously prepared, was applied, and collection of 52
 varieties of lima bean was carried out. The lima bean production aims mainly at families self-consumption as an important source of protein in their food diet; and the production surplus is sold to intermediaries and in local markets or markets of nearby areas, thus contributing to the total income of families. It is necessary to establish community seed banks to enable the exchange and conservation of this genetic resource that contributes to the sustainability of communitarian livelihoods in municipality of Serraria.