A agroecologia como estratégia de desenvolvimento territorial em áreas de fronteira: o caso dos Assentamentos Rurais de Corumbá e Ladário - MS

Abstract

The study is an analysis of production systems implemented in two rural settlements of Corumbá and Ladário - MS, as well as the birth of agroecology discussions and practices in those territories. The study was focused on the peasants of the two rural settlements: 72 (in Ladário - MS) and Taquaral (in Corumbá - MS). Within these settlements it was privileged the analysis of peasant families who are more directly involved in agroecology. In 72 settlement, it involves the peasant families who are producing vegetables in accordance with the agroecological principles. In the Taquaral settlement it was researched the experience of the Association of Beekeepers of Corumbá Family Farming (AAAFC), which recently began the process of discussion to produce honey in accordance with the principles of agroecology. The methodology used was predominantly qualitative in nature, with the case study based on the description and analysis from the territorial approach, addressing the dimensions: Economy, Politics, Culture and Nature - EPCN. It was also applied a structured questionnaire with 24 peasants of the two settlements studied. As a result of the analysis of agricultural production systems (conventional and transition to agroecology) constituted in the two rural settlements studied, it was understood that the peasant families over time have shaped the production system in accordance with the resources they had and to the Pantanal climate. The birth of agroecology occurred at different times and moments in both studied settlements. In Taquaral settlement agroecological initiatives emerged endogenously from actions of young peasants who have studied agricultural technic and return to the settlement to form the Association of Agricultural Technicians in Corumbá. In the settlement 72, agroecological initiatives started from exogenous agents who propose to farmers growing vegetables with the principles of agroecology.