Fourteenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

This paper explores the viewpoints of indigenous communities regarding pesticide use in and around the Dourados Reserve, in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The focus lies on understanding community knowledge, experiences, and concerns related to pesticides’ potential impact on biodiversity, local ecosystems, and human health. This issue transcends individual concerns, affecting the collective human rights of indigenous peoples. These rights include prior, informed, and free consent, self-determination, access to land and resources, health, culture preservation, sustainable development, and personal safety, among others. The rapid expansion of agribusiness in the region has elevated concerns due to increased pesticide usage. These chemicals have the potential to contaminate air, soil, water, and food, adversely impacting both local biodiversity and the health of communities that rely directly on these natural resources for their livelihoods and cultural practices. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach—qualitative and quantitative—this research involved community health agents who employed a semi-open intercultural questionnaire administered to indigenous residents living near the boundary between the Dourados Indigenous Reserve and surrounding plantations. Data will be analyzed through thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns in shared perceptions and experiences. The study aims to enrich scientific understanding of indigenous perspectives on pesticide use in the Dourados Reserve, ultimately advocating for more sustainable and culturally sensitive agricultural practices. It aspires to influence policy-makers, regulatory agencies, and civil society about the need to respect the rights and integrity of indigenous communities in agricultural planning and execution.