Elements of food (in)security in the potiguara indigenous people Mendonça do Amarelão, Rio Grande do Norte.

Abstract

The food situation of the indigenous peoples residing in Potiguar territory follows the difficulties of other native peoples. The objective of the article is to analyze the socioeconomic, food insecurity and anthropometric profile of the indigenous people living in the potiguar territory of Mendonça do Amarelão. The survey took place in two stages, between February and May 2022. As a result, most indigenous people are adults over 18 years of age, 53.5% of whom are men. However, female leadership in decisions about the territory stands out. Most declare themselves to be family farmers, whose main source of income is processing cashew nuts (Anacardiun occidentale L.). Most families (75.3%) live on a per capita income of around 250 reais. Food insecurity was present in most families, with 33.2% in the mild form. It was also found that 39.6% of the population had adequate weight according to BMI, 52.8% were overweight. It is concluded that the difficulty in maintaining the productive activity and the low income obtained by the families, even with the public policies (PPs), is not enough to guarantee the food security of the investigated indigenous population, aggravated by the lack of official demarcation of the territory.