Agricultural female condition and the viabilility of the agroecology

Abstract

This paper aims to reflect about the factors that separating agroecology theories and practices. Among those factors, the feminine condition is dimensioned inside the transformations related to agriculture modernization and agroecology projects. In this manner, this study begins from the theoretical comprehension of the topics described above to compare them with the empirical determined reality; agroecological projects introduced in Vale do Ribeira, south region of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Participant observation and open-ended interviews were used during field work. As a conclusion, it was ascertained that the agroecological practice analyzed on this study reproduces the basis of the modern agriculture model, as: women exclusion; separation of work and family notions, submissiveness to the capitalist model of production and consumption; youth exodus; violence; and other aspects that put in risk the existence of traditional family agriculture. Moreover, it is suggested that women have a lot to contribute in the transition from a restricted agroecology devoted to technical aspects to a wider agroecology, able to make effective transformations inside the hegemonic agricultural model.