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Swiergiel, Weronika, 2007. The process of agroecological transition : a case study from southern Brazil. SLU, Dept. of Plant Protection Biology, Alnarp. Alnarp: SLU, Dept. of Plant Protection Biology

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Abstract

This is a participatory case study together with the Non Governmental Organization (NGO)
Cetap (Centro de Tecnologias Alternativas Populares) in Brazil and the farmers in two of the groups with whom Cetap cooperates. The objective of the study is to describe and evaluate the process of agroecological transition with the aim of improving it. One of the groups is made up of about 40% of the members of the village Vaca Morta. The village is localized in a strongly hilly area difficult to mechanize and the village is known for its internal strong organizational culture. Although participating they have maintained a certain independce from outsiders such as farmers unions and social movements. The second group is made up of farmers spread out over a whole municipality called Ibiraiaras. The landscape here is flatter and the agriculture more mechanized. The organizational culture of the group is weaker but a strong interconnection with farmers unions and social organization stands out in this group. These properties were chosen as criteria for election of the groups for the study since Cetap feel that they are important ingredients in several of the groups they work with.

The focus of the study is to understand and hopefully improve a complex reality with all its variation in perceptions. To reach this profound understanding of the situation, as
experienced by the participants, Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was the chosen
methodology.

An important conclusion of the study is that agroecology is an approach and a process instead of a steady, defined state. Thereby there cannot be a transition to it. Transition is an intrinsic part of agroecology which could be defined as; Agroecology is a way of understanding and approaching the rural situation. By the help of the underlying premises and basic principles it helps us to develop a strategy of how to coevolve in a sustainable way with our natural and social environment.

A biological and technological view dominates the agroecological transition in literature. This case study shows that other issues must be given more importance as:
Knowledge
Family Subsistence
Social and Cultural Acceptance and Valuation
Personal and Family Motivation
Power
A Plan
Cooperation

The two groups find themselves in quite different sociopolitical and biophysical situations which have led to quite different processes of agroecological transition. This is also reflected in which of the above mentioned elements they found most important to work with in order to improve their development.

Main title:The process of agroecological transition
Subtitle:a case study from southern Brazil
Authors:Swiergiel, Weronika
Supervisor:Rämert, Birgitta
Examiner:UNSPECIFIED
Series:Bachelor project in the Horticultural Science programme
Volume/Sequential designation:2007:3
Year of Publication:2007
Level and depth descriptor:Other
Student's programme affiliation:YTRIN Horticultural Management Programme (admitted 2005-2006) 120 HEC
Supervising department:(LTJ, LTV) > Dept. of Plant Protection Biology
Keywords:agroecology, Brazil, organic agriculture, soft system methodology, Rio Grande do Sul, small scale agriculture, smallholder, ecological, agriculture
URN:NBN:urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-8973
Permanent URL:
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-8973
Subject. Use of subject categories until 2023-04-30.:SLU > (LTJ, LTV) > Dept. of Plant Protection Biology
Protection of plants - General aspects
Language:English
Deposited On:20 Nov 2017 12:19
Metadata Last Modified:21 Nov 2017 05:01

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