A agroecologia e a extensão rural para o fortalecimento da Agricultura Familiar: o caso do município de Santa Cruz da Baixa Verde, Pernambuco

Abstract

This paper’s main concern is to analyze the process of transition from conventional production to agroecological systems. How is the agroecological transition happening among the family farmers? Which are the main difficulties in this process? What is the role of the institutions that develop technical assistance and rural extension? To answer these questions, the relationship between Family Farming, Agroecology and Rural Extension was chosen as analytical axis, and, as empiric object, the agroecologic transition experience of family farmers from the city of Santa Cruz da Baixa Verde, in Pernambuco. By these means, it was possible to identify the difficulties and potential reproductive strategies of family farmers from agroecological basis; evaluate the changes in the everyday life of families; analyze the rural extension actions aimed at Agroecology developed by organizations that support family farmers; and draw a profile of family farmers involved in the process of agroecological transition. Among the main results of the research, it was found that issues related to the producer and his family’s health and welfare and the possibility of achieving greater financial return in production activities were the main motivations for joining the agroecological transition. It was also found that the lack of credit and incentives for the development of agricultural activity that follows ecological principles, the insufficient provision of technical assistance and rural extension and the persistence of the middlemen’s presence are still the main obstacles to the development of the activity. These questions, however, that, in several speeches, do not fade the potential contained in an ecologic based agriculture. The income raise, the family unit environmental preservation, the creation of marketing spaces through agroecological trade fairs and the participation in governmental programs to purchase products indicate the direction of the possibilities contained in this process. The importance of this work is to contribute to broaden the understanding about the relationships between Agroecology and Family Farming, bringing benefits to the policies of Rural Extension.