Nova Iguaçu agroecology school (RJ)

public action and society in the construction of an agroecological territory in the baixada fluminense

Abstract

This research seeks to understand how theory and practice methodologically proposed by the School of Agroecology of Nova Iguaçu/RJ (EANI), from the synergy between public action and society, contribute to the structuring of mutual learning networks, to strengthen the social reproduction of agroecological family farming in the city of Nova Iguaçu/RJ and for the permanence of the subjects involved in the territory. The theoretical framework is based on contributions about food systems, rural development, agroecology, urban and peri-urban agriculture, social capital, the agency capacity of social actors and the territory as a space of relationships, and form the scope for the analysis of the results achieved. The methodology was conducted as a case study of the EANI experience, based on the application of semi-structured interviews, using the non-probabilistic “snowball” sampling technique, followed by the content analysis proposed by Bardin (1977). The results showed that the relationships established between EANI, partner organizations and movements and associations of family farming in the Baixada Fluminense, are supported by the extension action of Emater-Rio in partnership with the CPT-Baixada, through a process of construction of the knowledge from the appreciation of the experiences lived by the EANI beneficiaries themselves in the construction of an agroecological territory, triggering a process of catalyzing the agency capacity of family farming actors and consequently inducing local development, given the difficulties of access to public policies, absence of municipal government and urban pressure exerted on productive areas.