Comunidades rurais enfrentando a pandemia do covid-19: contribuições do modo de viver camponês agroecológico do MST para um modelo de desenvolvimento sustentável de combate a doenças

Abstract

This paper analyzes the Peasant Agroecology way of life at Landless Rural Workers Movement (known by MST) and how it contributes to debate sustainable models of development and to face diseases such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The research aims to understand how the specific characteristics of this way of life influenced dealing with this crisis moment, for example: the autonomy of rural production and consumption; rural spaces as health promoters; the role of women and young people in health safety and the practice of Agroecology; the MST experience in facing different crisis, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, based on what they called ‘productive isolation’, feeding their families and practicing solidarity, beyond other demands. As a participatory qualitative social research, it was used semi-structured interviews and focus groups of women and young people at Annoni Settlement, in Pontão, Ceres, Rondinha and Tarumã Settlements in Jóia, Rio Grande do Sul. The configuration of the rural space, housing and work in the settlements in open spaces and not crowded, meant health security in relation to the transmission of COVID-19 and it was essential during social isolation. In the research, it becomes evident that an active, non-sedentary routine and immersion in nature as a way of life promote physical and mental health. Food mostly free of poisons and ultra-processed products, the routine use of plants with medicinal properties and plentiful access to nutritious food, make up an ideal set of healthy life that MST settlers routinely experience. Based on the policy of ‘productive isolation’, national campaigns were carried out to plant trees and to donate part of the production to food insecure families. Based on the analyses that were made, it was possible to conclude that the peasant and Agroecological way of life, the Popular Agrarian Reform project in Brazil, combined with MST's social and political organization in occupation and settlements, made it possible to face the COVID-19 pandemic mostly safe, healthy, active and solidary way, and should be recognized as examples of sustainable and healthy development models for the country. It is also taken into account that, even in this optimistic scenario, there are still demands to improve the quality of life of rural populations and suggestions to make these territories more prepared to face situations similar to the pandemic with greater quality.