As dimensões da sustentabilidade sob a ótica de agricultores familiares do Núcleo Sul/RS da Rede Ecovida de Agroecologia

Abstract

It is undeniable how important took over the family farming, category of great importance for food production. In addition, organic production in Brazil and worldwide as well stood out in recent years, especially with regard to advances in public policies on this subject. Ecological-based family farming reconciles environmental, economic, social, political, cultural and ethical factors for the implementation of sustainable strategies. Through this scenario, the present work has the objective of analyzing whether the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainability of Agroecology are present in the processes and in the lives of farmers certified as organic by the producers linked to the South Core/RS of the Ecovida Agroecology Network. The main level of analysis was the individual, despite some aspects of the organisations involved in the certification process have been addressed and treated at the organizational level. 18 interviews were carried out with the script of semi-structured questions in thematic blocks: 1) perception of the role of the agroecological farmer; 2) motivations that led to join Ecovida Network; 3) production; 4) certification process; 5) "sustainable practices" linked to the dimensions of sustainability in Agroecology. The results showed that most farmers search for sustainability from the balance of the Agroecology dimensions as individual characteristics and socially constructed by their experiences and learnings. Although some dimensions stand out over others, the ecological practice creates conditions for a more conscious and sustainable participation, seeking ways to cleaner and profitable production, and to ensure food security for their families and consumers.