Panorama agroecológico: atores e processos no oeste do Paraná

Abstract

Focusing on the experiences in sustainable agriculture in progress in western Paraná state, Brazil, this study seeks to collaborate with the evolution of Agroecology as a science and techno-political and social movement, emphasizing it in the academic world and exploring possibilities for systemic research in agricultural sciences. The main goal was to create a general overview of the regional "agroecological landscape", and through literature review, technical visits and interviews was possible to generate informations about actors, processes and relationships involved in ecologically based agricultural initiatives in a area that covers 50 counties. Were used and adapted to the context of this study the methodologies and research tools in sustainable agriculture proposed by multiple interdisciplinary references, serving as basis for the construction of a methodology that enabled the rapid identification/analysis of the engaged actors and the proactive experiences in sustainable agriculture in the concerned region. Territorially, there was highlight on the Paraná 3 Basin as the area of activity of the more articulated organizations in the west, with emphasis on the Organic Agriculture Steering Committee which brings together the main support entities working in the context. About the challenges, were in evidence the difficulties on climate due to the heat, lack of inputs and appropriate technologies, lack of resources and a proper system of credit and subsidies, and generally, the big ideological and economic pressure of the conventional agriculture systems prevailing in the region and the drift of pesticides arising from these. Perspectives and trends are optimistic and look at the growth of markets and increased support of public authorities, but demanding in return, better organization of farmers and a review of the usual production systems, opening to the ecological fruit production. Greater consumers communities involvement is also considered essential. Finally, experiences with popular agricultural homeopathy and the work of farmers associations and cooperatives are considered as relevant experience and suggest possibilities for the agroecology future in western Paraná