This work presents results of the research project "Technology Transfer for Commercial Aquaculture Development in Veracruz, Mexico", conducted during 2001-2006 and whose overall aim was to achieve a better understanding of the different processes involved in technology transfer and extension in Veracruz, and their role in tilapia culture development in terms of characteristics, intensity and direction. Data and information were collected by personal interviews and through participant-observation techniques. The most relevant regional initiatives that have promoted tilapia farming were analyzed, as well as the current key actors of aquaculture development and their roles. 142 tilapia farmers were also typified and closely monitored. Dissemination and adoption of technical information regarding tilapia culture were evaluated through the development and use of a Technology Level Index (TLI). Findings revealed that the tilapia sector in Veracruz is diverse and immersed in a rather complex arena, where policy and finance issues, and the role of demand, linked in with market chains and their functioning are major determinants of further expansion. Farm producers were sharply differentiated by production size, degree of commercialisation, experience in production, and access to assets. Most entrants were the result of social development interventions with significant level of subsidy, which often resulted in low levels of productivity and high abandonment rates. However, for the most vulnerable groups, tilapia culture apparently provided a way to diversify their livelihood portfolio. Availability of local knowledge and expertise appeared to enhance and stimulate the dissemination and adoption of tilapia farming technology, and hence human capital. Private sector and collective action are likely to play an increasing and decisive role in the direction of the industry, while people-oriented and participative approaches are likely to be the best way to deliver technical information to small-scale farmers, and maintain good equity of access and opportunity. Methodologically, TLIs proved to be useful in the quantification and evaluation of technological change. Moreover, the Sustainable Livelihoods framework provided an adequate platform for understanding the needs of specific groups, particularly in terms of vulnerability and policies, institutions and processes.

This study is an enquiry into the processes shaping rural livelihoods in peripheral areas. The study is situated in the field of livelihood research and departs in the persistent crisis within African smallholder agriculture and in rural policy debates during the postindependence era. The research takes a critical stance to the way that people-centred and actor-oriented approaches have dominated livelihood research, thereby over-shadowing structural and macro-oriented features. The aim of this study is to, through a historical perspective on rural livelihoods and policy regimes, uncover the political and economic processes, with their discursive foundations, that shape contemporary rural livelihoods in peripheral areas. The analytical framework emphasises four key factors: ideas of development and modernity; the terms of incorporation into the global economy; rural policy regimes; smallholders’ ways of making a living. Inspiration is gained from critical political geography, world-systems analysis and different perspectives on rural livelihoods and development. The empirical study is based on fieldwork in Chipata District in Eastern Zambia, investigations at the National Archives of Zambia, the British National Archives and library research. The findings are presented in three parts. The first part looks into contemporary policies and the situation among smallholders in Chipata District. The second part examines the history of the area up to independence in 1964. The third part examines the post-independence period which links colonial experience to the contemporary situation. The findings suggest that smallholders’ livelihoods are shaped by long-term politicaleconomic- discursive processes, rooted in the terms of the study area’s integration into the world-economy in the colonial period. Colonial policies peripheralised the area through tax, labour, and market policies and the creation of native reserves, all of which have led to contemporary problems of food insecurity, soil depletion and a marginal role in agricultural markets. Since the inception of colonial rule, semi-proletarianisation has been a dominant process in the area. Current diversified livelihoods are more a contemporary expression of this semi-proletarianisation than a consequence of postcolonial policies. The households in the study area show preference for a farming way of life. However, the development goal of modernity has since long led to an ‘othering’ of smallholders, labelling them backwards and resistant to change. In the early twenty-first century this ‘othering’ has been played out through a development programme aimed at changing attitudes and mindsets among the farmers in line with individualistic and entrepreneurial behaviour. The ‘othering’ discourses of contemporary and colonial policymakers display striking similarities in this case.

Many studies have been carried out throughout the world on how street-connected children relate to the streets, but not enough of these studies are seen through a gender perspective. Hence, the general conception of street-connected children is in some manner still mainstreamed, which casts an image claiming all children in the same category. This demonstrates that there is currently a missing gap of knowledge. This study covers whether the role of gender could affect the lives of the children that live and work on the streets, through a qualitative research in the field with 28 interviewees. These interviews were largely conducted in Brikama, Serekunda, Topkunda, Farafenni, Madina Salaam and Bakau in The Gambia, where the majority of the Gambian NGOs and street-connected children is located. The results from analysing these interviews pointed towards the same pattern: that there were a few similarities in the livelihoods of the street-connected boys and girls. However, the differences concerning their livelihoods on the streets were greater since the findings demonstrated that their challenges and opportunities of achieving the Ten Central Human Capabilities were different. Street-connected boys and street-connected girls were both exposed to child labour. The main difference was, street-connected boys, who lived in groups, worked in car garages, fish industries and for shop owners, while the few girls who permanently lived on the streets, were alone and sexual exploited. This research is thus not merely a contribution to the studies of street-connected children, but how gender is relating to the streets. Furthermore, a contribution to improve these vulnerable children’s livelihoods and also increase the awareness through the perspective of humanities, which might be crucial in future policy recommendations and research.

In Asia, the recent rapid growth in production of higher value, more pesticide intensive, horticultural crops and inland aquatic foods in linked agri-aquatic systems poses numerous environmental, health and wider livelihood threats in these often multi-use aquatic systems. ‘Green Revolution’ technologies have enhanced food security and pesticides have been promoted, however, the sustainability of prolonged pesticide use from a functional, environmental and socio-economic perspective is increasingly questionable. Further, despite international pesticide trade agreements and country-specific legislation, illegal practices still prevail. In Thailand and Sri Lanka the influence of pesticide marketing and regulation on pesticide use and hazards was investigated. Community livelihood relationships with three very different agri-aquatic systems (in Central and Northeast Thailand and Northwest Sri Lanka), pesticide use and associated aquatic and health hazards were explored with respect to surface water use and well-being status. Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods utilised participatory community appraisals, household surveys, pesticide fate in surface waters and dietary risk assessment and modelling, key informant semi-structured interviews and stakeholder workshops, to assess these relationships. Enhanced environmental and human pesticide hazards were contributed by pesticide sales incentives and weak regulation allowing illegal practices to prevail. Preliminary risk assessments found greater aquatic and human dietary pesticide hazards within communities, with the poorest at greatest vulnerability from applying pesticide and higher dependency on threatened natural aquatic food resources. The poorest in communities were most likely to overuse pesticide in Sri Lanka and were most vulnerable to illegal practices in the pesticide industry that are often linked with unauthorised traders and credit arrangements. Most horticultural production is for fresh wholesale markets with no food safety controls, and despite growing demand for safer horticultural produce, most farmers perceive pesticides as necessary, the associated hazards low and have little knowledge of safe food production and markets. These circumstances help sustain pesticide use. Some unofficial certification and misleading labelling in the ‘safe’ fruit and vegetable sector in Thailand potentially misinforms consumers and undermines trust that may threaten pesticide reduction efforts. Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and vegetable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) are evolving practices and techniques of producing horticultural crops with less or no pesticide, the latter sometimes through Farmer Field Schools (FFS), however, evidence of success varies. Teaching through lectures and more lengthy and costly participatory methods is evident, with the former more successful on GAP and higher educated farmers and the latter with IPM and worse-off farmers, particularly when addressed within livelihood issues as a whole. However, production scale, farmer enthusiasm, produce marketing and facilitator expertise all influence outcomes, particularly with IPM, whilst proper evaluation could improve progress. Growing rural consumer interest in organic produce offers further incentives for small to medium scale farmers to implement IPM and reduce pesticide use and hazards. As value of aquatic resources was an incentive to reducing pesticide use, particularly the most dangerous products, exploration of this component of agri-aquatic systems is another exciting prospect for empowering farming community livelihoods over established and failing fear based chemical practices. Such new practices may lead the way towards affordable and trustworthy agri-aquatic systems produce with ethical certification. Greater pesticide use savings on a wider scale come from use of efficient flat fan spray nozzles compared with conventional pesticide spray nozzles. Complementary policies and stakeholder co-operation could aid pesticide use and hazard reduction efforts. A number of recommendations arose from the research.

The aim of this study is to explore the links which exist between community development and urban food gardens. South Africa has experienced a twenty five percent growth in the urban population from 2005-2010. It is further predicted that this will increase by a further thirty six percent to thirteen million inhabitants by 2015. The practice of urban agriculture is one of the strategies that can assist in addressing development challenges in an urban setting in South Africa and around the world. Urban agriculture has the potential to provide a survival strategy for the poor and thus contribute to poverty alleviation, employment, food security, social integration and skills transfer. This research explores the economic, social and ecological benefits of the activity, questioning the ways in which the Siyakhana food garden (and larger initiative) contributes to the Siyakhana community. For the purpose of the research the Siyakhana community refers to the Siyakhana group (eight women in the inner city of Johannesburg who run Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs)) and the gardeners who work in the food garden. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, in-depth questionnaires, participant observation and informal conversation, as well as primary and secondary sources. The data was collected for a twelve month period from June 2010 to June 2011. In total the food garden was visited thirty times during the field work and the ECDCs twelve to fifteen times each. Because of the initiatives potential in community development, the focus of the research gives in-depth insights into the Siyakhana group, their history with the initiative, details about their ECDCs and their expectations and their perceived benefits of being involved with the Siyakhana initiative. The key findings of the study are that there are two primary ways in which the Siyakhana group benefit from being involved in the Siyakhana initiative. The benefits relate to the supplementary food which the Siyakhana group receive on a weekly basis and the practical learning environment of the Siyakhana food garden. This research shows that through their connection with the Siyakhana initiative the Siyakhana group act as a conduit for inner city community development. The healthy and nutritious food from the food garden and the knowledge obtained from being involved with the initiative is shared with a range of stakeholders within the inner city. The Siyakhana food garden is a unique example of a community project which embraces the concepts of ecological health promotion in a multiplicity of ways – through the distribution of food, training, conscientisation and mobilisation. Finally the study shows that when exploring the links between urban food gardens and community development it is not a pre-requisite for the community to physically engage in the production activities of the garden for empowerment and skills transfer to take place.

Previous research and literature commonly agree to the fact that women, especially rural women, is the most vulnerable group in society. Many of them tend to be found in the poorest sections of society. Women depend on natural resources for their livelihoods and are discriminated concerning labour division and access, control and knowledge about natural resources such as forests. Changes in the climate and natural degradation, especially forest degradation are threatening their livelihoods. Gender relations are structured around managing the environment where women are seen as major users and managers of the forests. The aim and the research questions of this study is to examine how women in Senegal experience that their everyday life and livelihood activities within fuelwood collection have been affected by deforestation. Furthermore, what reason do women see behind deforestation and the changes in their local environments. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven women from two villages in southern Senegal in the region of Casamance and Sine-Saloum. All these women were involved in fuelwood collecting activities. The result of the study was analysed through previous research, feminist political ecology approach and through definitions of livelihood and sustainable development in order to explain women’s experiences and activities within fuelwood collection. The result found that all women experiences changes in their livelihoods because of deforestation. The amount of time spent on fuelwood collecting activities increased while it less time was left to other activities. Women’s income and resources from the forests reduced or disappeared and the main focus turned into cover the needs of the household. Women’s personal everyday lives have been negatively affected by deforestation. Heavy work had negative health effects on the women. Some women have left fuelwood collection for alternative sources of income because it has become too demanding. Furthermore, the results showed that women are worried about their future since they are in mutual need of forests as well as fuelwood to survive.

As certificações socioambientais, a fim de tornarem-se mais acessíveis a pequenos produtores proporcionam métodos alternativos para obtenção dos selos. O FSC, além da possibilidade de certificação em grupo oferece, desde 2004, o padrão de certificação Small and Slow Intensity Managed Forests (SLIMF). No Brasil, para atender a alta demanda do mercado e manterem-se competitivas, empresas florestais, além de estabelecer contratos de fomento, vêm incentivando e auxiliando pequenos produtores a certificarem-se. Para os pequenos produtores, a certificação pode contribuir com a diversificação dos meios de vida. O presente estudo teve como objetivos: i) caracterizar quais são os fatores que geram mudanças nos meios de vida de grupos de pequenos produtores florestais fomentados certificados; e ii) verificar a influência do tempo de certificação na mudança dos capitais dos meios de vida destes grupos. Para isso foram estudados quatro grupos de produtores florestais fomentados e certificados com FSC SLIMF, e um grupo fomentado, porém não certificado. Estes grupos localizam-se nas regiões brasileiras do extremo sul do estado da Bahia e norte do Espírito Santo, e vale do rio Tibagi, no estado do Paraná. Os grupos foram caracterizados por meio de entrevistas e levantamento bibliográfico. Os impactos da certificação nos meios de vida dos grupos de pequenos produtores florestais foram mensurados por meio questionário baseado em adaptação da abordagem dos Meios de Vida Sustentáveis. Foram propostos cenários da influência da certificação nos meios de vida de cada grupo certificado e interpretadas as interações entre os capitais dos meios de vida. O bom desempenho da certificação foi influenciado pela demanda do mercado por produtos certificados, pela situação prévia do capital social dos grupos de produtores e suas condições socioeconômicas. A certificação FSC SLIMF promoveu mudanças positivas em todos os capitais dos meios de vida, porém em intensidade diferente em cada grupo. Foi unânime a percepção de maior mudança no capital natural. O capital financeiro, principal motivador para participação na certificação, não apresentou o Preço Premium esperado pelos produtores. O tempo de certificação influenciou positivamente os resultados em todos os meios de vida, entretanto o engajamento e a participação dos membros na gestão dos grupos é determinante para o sucesso da certificação. Aspectos como escolaridade e renda influenciaram no interesse em se certificar e na percepção de melhorias. / Socio-environmental certifications, in order to become more accessible to small producers, provide alternative methods of obtaining the acreditation. The FSC, in addition to the possibility of group certification, has offered the Small and Slow Intensity Managed Forests (SLIMF) certification standard since 2004. Brazilians forestry companies, in order to meet the market\'s high demand and to remain competitive, not only have established outgrower schemes, but also have encouraged and assisted small producers to certificate. Certification can contribute to the diversification of smallholders\' livelihoods. The present study had as objectives: i) to characterize the factors that generate changes in groups of certified forest smallholders\' livelihoods; and ii) to verify the influence of time of certification on the change of livelihood assets of these groups. Four groups of FSC SLIMF certified smallholders outgrowers, and a not certified smallholder outgrower group were selected to this study. These groups are located in the Brazilian regions of the extreme south of Bahia and north of Espirito Santo, and the Tibagi river valley in Paraná. The groups were characterized by interviews and bibliographic surveys. The certifications\' impacts on the smallholders\' livelihoods were measured using a questionnaire based on an adaptation of the Sustainable Livelihoods approach. Scenarios on the certification\'s influence on each group\'s livelihoods were developed and the interactions between livelihood capitals were interpreted. The certification\'s positive performance was influenced by the market demand for certified products, the smallholders groups previous situation on the social capital and their socioeconomic conditions. The FSC SLIMF certification promoted positive changes in all livelihoods\' capitals, but at different intensities in each group. The perception of higher change in the natural capital was unanimous. The financial capital, considered to be the main participation motivator in the certification, did not present the Premium Price expected by the producers. Certification time positively influenced outcomes across all livelihoods, however engagement and participation of group members in management is key to successful certification. Aspects such as schooling and income influenced the interest in pursuing certification and perceiving improvements.

A diversidade é uma característica central dos modos de vida rurais campesinos. As explicações para tal são principalmente duas. Por um lado, porque a diversificação de produtos e atividades pode promover ganhos econômicos e, por outro, porque reduz os riscos. A teoria de escolha racional prediz que unidades domésticas semiautárquicas buscariam maximizar uma função utilidade e, para isso, ao se integrarem ao mercado, tenderiam a se especializar nos produtos e nas atividades com maior retorno econômico. Contudo, em contextos de incerteza, como aqueles rurais remotos, estas unidades tenderiam a diversificar os produtos e as atividades de que dependem para tamponar eventuais flutuações no consumo e na renda. A esse respeito, resultados de estudos prévios que avaliaram o efeito da introdução de novas fontes de renda monetária sobre a diversidade de produtos e atividades baseados em recursos naturais que unidades domésticas rurais dependem são inconclusivos. Parte mostra que incrementos nas fontes de renda estão associados à redução na diversidade de atividades e produtos que as unidades domésticas dependem, enquanto outros indicam manutenção ou mesmo aumento da diversidade. Há, contudo, poucas evidências sobre os efeitos das transferências condicionadas de renda sobre o uso de recursos naturais por unidades domésticas rurais. Portanto, este estudo teve por objetivo investigar se as transferências de renda do Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) estavam associadas à diversidade de produtos e fontes de renda baseados em recursos naturais que os domicílios rurais do Vale do Ribeira dependem. Para isso, o estudo baseou-se em um survey por entrevistas presenciais aos chefes (homem ou mulher) de 123 domicílios rurais. Os domicílios foram amostrados em oito setores censitários com concentração de pobreza e variabilidade no nível de cobertura florestal. Para a análise dos dados, foram adotados procedimentos descritivos, testes não paramétricos de Wilcoxon e o método de Pareamento por Escore de Propensão. Os resultados indicaram que o PBF não teve efeitos significativos na diversidade de produtos agropecuários ou ambientais que os domicílios dependeram no último mês, ou no número de fontes de renda baseadas em recursos naturais. Possíveis explicações da ausência de efeitos passam por motivadores na base de tomada de decisão, limitações do delineamento adotado ou particularidades da localidade. A conclusão é que o PBF não afeta as decisões quanto à diversificação do uso de recursos naturais que dependem os domicílios rurais nos locais do estudo. / Diversity is a central feature of peasant rural livelihoods. The enlightenments for this are mainly two. On the one hand, the diversification of products and activities can promote economic improvements and, on the other hand, it can reduce risks. The theory of rational choice predicts that semi-autonomous domestic units would aim to maximize a utility function and, in order to do so, once market-integrated, would tend to specialize in the products and activities with the highest economic return. However, in contexts of uncertainty, such as in remote rural areas, these units would lean towards the diversification of products and activities they rely on, in order to overcome possible fluctuations in consumption and income. In this regard, results from previous studies that have evaluated the effect of introducing new sources of monetary income on the diversity of products and activities based on natural resources, which rural households depend on, are inconclusive. Part shows that increases in sources of income are associated with a reduction in the diversity of activities and products that households rely on, while others indicate maintenance or even an increase in diversity. There is, however, little evidence on the effects of conditional cash transfers on the usage of natural resources by rural households. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether income transfers from the Bolsa Família Program (PBF) were associated to the diversity of products and sources of income based on natural resources that rural households in the Ribeira Valley depend on. In order to do so, the study was based on a survey, applied by interviews held personally to family leaders (man or woman) of 123 rural households. Households were sampled within eight census tracts according to poverty concentration and variability at the level of forest cover. For the data analysis, were applied descriptive procedures, non-parametric Wilcoxon tests and the Method of Propensity Score. The results indicated that the PBF had no significant effect on the diversity of agricultural or environmental products that households relied on in the last month or on the number of natural resource-based sources of income. Possible explanations to this absence of effects go through motivators based on decision-making, limitations on the adopted proposal design, or particularities of the locality. The conclusion is that the PBF does not affect decisions regarding the diversification of the usage of natural resources that rural households at these study sites depend on.

Afrikanisches einheimisches Gemüse (AIVs) hat in letzter Zeit in ganz Afrika südlich der Sahara (SSA) aufgrund des zunehmenden Bewusstseins für deren Ernährung und gesundheitlichen Nutzen größere Anerkennung gefunden. Dieses wachsende Verbraucherbewusstsein hat zu einer erhöhten Nachfrage nach AIV-Verbrauch geführt, was wiederum zu einer verstärkten Produktion von AIV geführt hat. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war es daher, das Ausmaß und die zugrunde liegenden Faktoren zu bewerten, die Einfluss auf die Einführung nachhaltiger Intensivierungsmethoden (SIPs) haben (Einsatz von verbesserten Bewässerungssystemen, integrierte Bodendüngung, organischer Dünger und AIV - Diversifizierung) (2) Die Übernahme von SIP in Bezug auf den Lebensunterhalt der Landwirte und (3) eine Bewertung der wirtschaftlichen Leistung und der ökologischen Ergebnisse von Bodendüngungsstrategien, um Bodenbewirtschaftungsstrategien zu empfehlen, die die Produktion, den Lebensunterhalt und den Klimaschutz optimieren. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass der Einsatz von organischem Dünger und die Diversifizierung der AIV in ländlichen und stadtnahen Produktionsgebieten weit verbreitet waren, wohingegen verbesserte Bewässerungssysteme und ein integriertes Bodenfruchtbarkeitsmanagement eher gering waren und in ländlichen Gebieten sogar erheblich niedriger waren als in Stadtrandgebieten. Darüber hinaus wurden Komplementaritäten und Substituierbarkeiten zwischen SIPs identifiziert, was darauf hindeutet, dass eine Änderung der Richtlinien, die sich auf ein einzelnes SIP auswirkt, Auswirkungen auf andere verwandte SIPs haben kann. Die Ergebnisse der Determinanten von SIP zeigen, dass die Marktintegration, das Haushaltseinkommen und die städtischen Gemüseproduktionsumgebungen die Haupttreiber der Akzeptanz waren. Darüber hinaus erhöht die Einführung von SIPs sowohl das Gesamteinkommen der Haushalte als auch die Ernte. Darüber hinaus optimiert die integrierte Strategie zur Bodenfruchtbarkeit die Wirtschafts- und Umweltleistung. Daher ist ein integriertes Bodenfruchtbarkeitsmanagement ein möglicher Weg, um die AIV-Produktion nachhaltig zu intensivieren. / African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) have recently gained greater recognition across sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) because of increased awareness on their nutrition and health benefits. This rising consumer consciousness has caused an increase in demand for consumption of AIVs, which in turn has led to increased intensification of AIV production. The aim of this thesis was therefore, to evaluate the level and underlying factors influencing the adoption of sustainable intensification practices (SIPs) (use of improved irrigation systems, integrated soil fertilisation, organic manure and AIV diversification), (2) examined the impacts of SIP adoption on farmers’ livelihoods, and (3) assessed economic performance and ecological outcomes of soil fertilisation strategies in order to recommend soil fertility management strategies which optimises production, livelihood and climate trade-offs. The results revealed that use of organic manure and AIV diversification were widely adopted across rural and peri-urban production areas while improved irrigation systems and integrated soil fertility management was rather low, and even significantly lower in rural areas than in peri-urban areas. Moreover, complementarities and substitutabilities between SIPs were also identified indicating that a change in policy affecting a single SIP might have a spill over effect on other related SIPs. The results of determinants of SIPs shows that market integration, household income and peri-urban vegetable production environments were the major drivers of adoption. In addition, adoption of SIPs significantly increases both total household and crop incomes. Furthermore, integrated soil fertility manage strategy optimises economic and environmental performance. Therefore, integrated soil fertility management is a potential pathway to sustainably intensify AIV production.

Recentemente, o mercado de sementes florestais têm se consolidado para atender demandas da restauração ecológica que são movidas por regulamentações. A produção de sementes se estabeleceu como um sistema de base comunitária e familiar com elevado potencial para promover um intrigante desafio, associar uso e conservação de ecossistemas com o desenvolvimento local. O presente estudo teve como objetivo geral avaliar a socioeconomia da produção de sementes florestais a partir das seguintes dimensões: (i) implicações das relações de cooperação no funcionamento da cadeia de valor; (ii) efeitos das técnicas de produção nos gargalos, inovações e custos financeiros; e (iii) impactos da participação no mercado de sementes nos meios de vida familiar. Para isso, a pesquisa envolveu como um estudo de caso a Rede de Sementes do Xingu na Amazônia brasileira. A coleta de dados foi conduzida por meio de observações participantes, entrevistas e oficinas com produtores de sementes de diferentes realidades socioculturais (indígenas, agricultores familiares e residentes urbanos) e técnicos que atuam na gestão da rede. O funcionamento da cadeia foi fortalecido pelas relações de cooperação entre os atores, principalmente em função do compartilhamento de valores. No entanto, os custos financeiros, a assistência técnica, a infraestrutura, os parâmetros técnicos e as legislações são os principais fatores que condicionam os processos da cadeia de sementes. Os atuais preços de comercialização das sementes seguem parâmetros empíricos que não dimensionam os reais custos de produção, demonstrando que os preços necessitam de reformulações. Por outro lado, as realidades socioculturais dos produtores exercem uma influencia direta nos sistemas de produção, o que promove a inovação de técnicas e tecnologias a partir de conhecimentos tradicionais e locais. Quanto à participação nos mercados, os grupos socioculturais estudados diferiram quanto às percepções sobre os impactos nos seus meios de vida familiar. As comunidades com algum grau prévio de organização foram mais susceptíveis ao fortalecimento do capital social, de tal forma que os grupos socioculturais menos integrados ao mercado apresentaram melhores resultados a partir da participação no mercado de sementes. / Recently, the markets of forest seeds have been established to meet demands for ecology restoration which are driven by regulations. The seeds production was design as a production system of the community and family groups with high potential to promote an intriguing challenge, associate ecosystem usage and conservation within local development. The overall purpose of the present study was to evaluate the socioeconomics of forest seeds production from the following dimensions: (i) implications of cooperation in the value chain operations; (ii) effects of production techniques in bottlenecks, innovations, and financial costs; and (iii) impacts of seed market participation in the household livelihoods. This research involved a case study of Xingu Seeds Network in the Brazilian Amazon. Data collection was conducted through participant observation, interviews and workshops with different sociocultural groups of seed producers (indigenous groups, urban residents and settler farmers) and staffs who manage the network. The value chain operation was strengthened by the relationship between the actors, mainly due to the common values between the actors. However, financial costs, technical assistance, infrastructure, technical parameters and laws are the main factors which constrain the seeds value chain. Current prices for seed marketing follow empirical parameters which do not measure the real production costs, which is requiring prices reformulation. On the other hand, the producers\' socio-cultural realities have influenced on production systems, which has lead into a promoting innovation of techniques and technologies by traditional and local knowledge. Regarding to market participation, the sociocultural groups showed different perceptions about impacts on their household livelihoods. Communities which are already organized are most likely to strengthen their social capital through participation, thus socio-cultural groups less integrated with the market achieved better livelihood outcomes through participation in the seed market.