Caminhos para a transição agroecológica: estudo com uma família do assentamento Fazenda Ipanema, Iperó (SP)

Abstract

Many farmers consider Agroecology a tool to produce sustainably. By changing their production systems, changing crops and inputs applied, aiming at a sustainable system, the family farmer search a transition agroecology. However, few among them can produce or advance in agroecological transition. A reason for this difficulty may be related to biomass production in quantity and quality to ensure the agroecosystems sustainability. The family agroecosystems tend to have greater biodiversity than large farms due to a tendency to polycultures, self, family pluriactivity, among other strategies. In this local biodiversity, plants play a key role and can be considered co-products. This study aimed to characterize a unit of production and family life (UPVF) adopting management practices aimed at agroecological transition, to discuss the importance of plant biomass in this transition process and to propose alternatives to achieve the fertility system. The research was developed at Iperó in Ipanema Farm settlement in the State of Sao Paulo. The UPVF studied occupies a plot of eight hectares and is divided into seven sectors of production. The family with whom this work was developed live in the settlement since 1992. The research aimed to detail the system features and the complexity of relationships in order to describe and analyze a case study setting. It was found that the biomass produced in UPVF did not meet the nutritional demand of the main sector of commercial product, the banana orchard. The proposed redesign sought to ally virtuous experiences and scenic beauty, attractive for humans. Thus, the UPVF redesign aimed at promoting the cradle areas of fertility, assisted in the production of plant biomass in abundance and quality (diversity), preferably in well accessible, as the surrounding residences, places of daily traffic and nearby areas containment of animals. Thus, it is expected to 16 contribute to the sense of pride in the family for the successful transformation of the local landscape and the awareness of what it represents.