Complexo avícola no extremo Oeste Catarinense: em busca de uma nova forma de integração politicamente equilibrada e economicamente justa

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agrárias. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agroecossistemas.A formação econômica do Brasil segue um projeto capitalista dependente que submete o meio rural ao modelo agroexportador, atualmente expresso nas relações produtivas do agronegócio. Sob tais circunstâncias, agricultores vinculados a organizações sociais camponesas apontam novas relações de produção, como contratendência ao contexto de reprodução de uma ordem que os oprime, econômica e politicamente. O presente estudo toma o caso de um arranjo organizacional para produção avícola associada na região Oeste do Estado de Santa Catarina, encabeçado por duas organizações cooperativadas - COOPERUNIÃO e AEPAC - que são reconhecidas por sua prática histórica de fazer valer em sua dinâmica o ideal do cooperativismo: processo decisório democrático, transparência na gestão na qual todos participam e equidade na distribuição dos resultados, o que aponta para a conformação das novas relações produtivas. A caracterização do sistema de integração vertical convencionalmente praticado junto às agroindústrias evidenciou a total subordinação dos avicultores, sejam aqueles com produção contratada, sejam os aparentemente autônomos; como principais mecanismos desta relação iníqua foram apontados a insuficiente remuneração dos custos de produção e a determinação de cláusulas contratuais abusivas, que infligem diretamente à autonomia produtiva dos agricultores. Mais indicações acerca das conseqüências do sistema de integração vertical, seus mecanismos de subordinação e exploração, foram obtidas junto a avicultores pauperizados que abandonaram a atividade e fumicultores em processo de conversão de suas unidades em áreas de produção agroecológica. O desenho do complexo avícola proposto por referidas entidades, balizado pela cooperação entre agricultores e adequação da matriz tecnológica às condições agroecológicas, sinaliza a possibilidade da produção de alimentos economicamente justa e politicamente equilibrada. Analisando as relações sociais inovadoras que a estruturam e as pressões que a oprimem, são sugeridos alguns elementos substantivos para que orientação produtiva adotada contribua à melhoria da qualidade de vida humana associada. This study takes the case of an organizational arrangement related to poultry production in the western region of Santa Catarina, headed by two cooperative organizations - COOPERUNIÃO and AEPAC. These are recognized by their historical practice to enforce the ideal of cooperativism subsided by: democratic decision making, transparency in management and fair distribution of production, pointing to the conformation of new relationships. The characterization of the organizational pattern current in contracted poultry production, conventionally practiced by agricultural industries showed the total subordination of poultry farmers. As evidence, the main mechanisms of this iniquitous relationship were underpayment over the production and determination of abusive contractual terms. Other indications about the consequences of such pattern and the mechanisms of exploitation and subordination were taken among poultry and tobacco farmers, whose means of production are disabled and decapitalization is expressive. The design of a poultry arrangement proposed on the cooperation between farmers and suitably technological conditions point to the food production based on economic fairness and political balance. Analyzing the innovating social relations that structures these arrangements and its constrains, some substantial elements are proposed in order to guarantee that production purposes seeks out the social construction of human welfare

Soberania alimentar: proposta da via campesina para o sistema agroalimentar / Food sovereignty: via campesina’s proposal for the agro-food system

O enfrentamento ao problema de insegurança alimentar requer o reconhecimento de que o atual sistema agroalimentar não tem garantido acesso, disponibilidade e qualidade de alimentos. Contrariamente, este modelo contribui a uma série de problemas, como impactos ambientais (aquecimento global, esgotamento de recursos hídricos e da biodiversidade), assim como problemas sociais (agravamento da fome, êxodo e perda de autonomia das populações camponesas). Neste contexto, os movimentos sociais camponeses vem amadurecendo, desde o surgimento da Via Campesina Internacional, a proposta de soberania alimentar que contrapõe a proposta predominante de desenvolvimento e afirma que cada povo tem o direito de definir suas próprias políticas agrícolas e alimentares. Este trabalho analisa a proposta de soberania alimentar da Via Campesina, bem como fatores que afetam a sua consolidação e as consequências geradas. Ao final, discute-se a proposta dos camponeses para um outro sistema agroalimentar

Building a National IoT Plan: Policy Recommendations and the Case of Brazil

The Internet of Things (“IoT”) is an expression that refers to a whole set of new services and devices that includes at least three fundamental aspects: connectivity, use of sensors or actuators, and computational capacity for data processing and storage. The Internet of Things goes beyond connecting objects to each other; it also gives them the power to process data (thereby making them "smart"). For developing countries such as Brazil, the opportunities offered by the Internet of Things can compensate for shortcomings in infrastructure and services, and can improve innovation, quality of life, productivity, and even the economic complexity of our basket of export products. However, the way in which each country will seize this opportunity will depend on its specific aspirations and strategies. The broader economic, social, political, and legal context of the country should be considered, as well as the local development of information and communication technologies. For this reason, the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC), has commissioned this study, "Internet of Things: An Action Plan for Brazil." This study, mapped by a consortium comprised by McKinsey & Company, the CPqD Foundation, and Pereira Neto | Macedo Law Firm, outlines the local technological and economic challenges related to the topic, as well as well as how to address legal issues inherent to the development of IoT in Brazil

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Characterization of Shifting cultivation systems practiced by traditional communities of Cananéia, São Paulo, Brazil: implications over time on floristic diversity, carbon stocks and soil fertility

O bioma Mata Atlântica é reconhecido pela sua alta biodiversidade e alto grau de endemismo, ao mesmo tempo em que é considerado um dos biomas mais ameaçados no planeta. O uso de recursos naturais por populações tradicionais que vivem e mantêm seus modos de vida nos remanescentes deste bioma gera conflitos de interesse pelo uso da terra, levantando preocupações em relação à manutenção das comunidades e à preservação dos ecossistemas naturais. Para superar estes conflitos, é necessário compreender as múltiplas relações das pessoas com o meio, avaliando o impacto de suas ações ao longo do tempo. Os sistemas agrícolas itinerantes (SAIs) consistem no cultivo de áreas rotacionadas em uma matriz florestal, por meio da derrubada e queima da biomassa arbórea com posterior aproveitamento das cinzas e material orgânico acumulado sobre o solo durante o período de sucessão secundária. As áreas são cultivadas por um curto período e depois deixadas em pousio por um intervalo de tempo mais longo. Apesar da ancestralidade dos SAIs, ainda há controvérsias sobre a viabilidade deste sistema extensivo. Assim, este estudo buscou verificar o efeito dos sistemas agrícolas itinerantes com o uso de fogo sobre a diversidade biológica e suas relações com a fertilidade do solo e estoques de carbono, tecendo comparações com áreas de floresta preservada. Foram estudados sistemas de agricultura itinerante caiçara praticados nas comunidades Bairro Santa Maria (em Floresta Ombrófila Densa de Terras Baixas) e RDS Itapanhapima (em Floresta de Restinga), do município de Cananéia - SP. As áreas em cultivo sob pousio e os fragmentos de floresta preservada de sete famílias caiçaras foram selecionados com base em critérios de histórico de uso, condições ambientais e técnicas de manejo do fogo. Estas áreas foram avaliadas em cronossequência para verificar eventuais alterações no tempo, sobre os estoques de carbono acima, sobre e abaixo do solo, a estrutura e a composição florística e os estoques de nutrientes do solo. Para verificar as mudanças, estabeleceu-se comparações com parcelas de floresta nativa preservada sem histórico de uso (controle). A biomassa florestal e os estoques de carbono de parte aérea e de raízes da vegetação em pousio se recuperam a níveis equivalentes às áreas de floresta preservada após 30 anos em Floresta Ombrófila Densa de Terras Baixas (FODTB) e em 10 anos em Floresta de Restinga. O manejo agrícola itinerante não afeta significativamente as características químicas dos solos de Restinga e FODTB. Os efeitos imediatos em função da deposição de cinzas, não se mantêm ao longo do ciclo de pousio. Aparentemente, as condições edáficas e hidráulicas de cada Restinga específica apresentam limitações que impõem o tipo de comunidade vegetal que nelas será desenvolvida. Já nas áreas em FODTB a partir de 60 anos de pousio, as florestas secundárias apresentaram características equivalentes às florestas preservadas, porém alguns parâmetros relevantes para avaliar a dinâmica florestal como a proporção de espécies zoocóricas e de pioneiras já foram atingidos a partir de 5 e 30 anos, respectivamente, quando 21 e 56% das espécies arbóreas do local já se encontrava restabelecida. Considera-se que as florestas secundárias formadas pelos sistemas de agricultura itinerante além de darem suporte às populações tradicionais contribuem à conservação de recursos naturais por manterem a cobertura florestal nativa, garantindo conectividade e reduzindo o efeito de borda sobre as florestas preservadas. Além disso prestam serviços ecossistêmicos como estocagem de carbono, provisão de alimentos para a fauna associada e ciclagem de nutrientes. Conclui-se que os SAIs estudados mantêm a fertilidade do solo, recuperam os estoques de carbono perdidos pelo corte e queima da biomassa acima do solo e, contribuem à conservação diversidade De outro modo, parecem ser necessários ajustes no planejamento desta atividade para que o tempo de pousio seja suficiente. No atual estado de conhecimento, a manutenção das inúmeras modalidades de SAIs não pode ser categorizada como benéfica, danosa ou neutra ao conjunto das implicações envolvidas nas relações humanas ou à ecologia florestal, na área de abrangência do presente estudo.The Atlantic Rainforest biome is recognized for high diversity and endemism. At the same time, it is considered one of the most threatened biomes on the planet. The use of natural resources by traditional populations that live and maintain their ways of life in the remnants of this biome generates conflicts of interest on the land use, raising concerns about the maintenance of communities and the conservation of natural ecosystems. To overcome this situation, it is necessary to understand the various relationships between people and the environment, evaluating their actions over time. Shifting cultivation systems (SAIs) consist of cultivating areas rotated in a forest matrix, through slash-and-burn of the biomass with subsequent use of ashes and organic material accumulated over the soil during secondary succession. Areas are cultivated for a brief period and then left fallow for a longer period. Despite the ancestry of these systems, there is still controversy about the viability of this extensive agricultural system. Thus, this study aims to verify the effect of shifting cultivation systems with the use of fire on biological diversity and its relationship with soil fertility and carbon stocks, making comparisons with areas of preserved forest. We studied swidden agriculture practiced by Caiçaras living in the communities Bairro Santa Maria (in Lowland Evergreen Dense Forest domain) and RDS Itapanhapima (in sandy vegetation named Restinga Forest domain), in the municipality of Cananéia SP. The cultivated plots, fallow areas and preserved forest fragments belonging to seven Caiçara families were selected based on criteria of historical use, environmental conditions and fire management techniques. These areas were evaluated in chronosequence to verify any alterations in time, regarding above, below and over the ground carbon stocks; floristic structure and forest composition; soil nutrient stocks. Data from fallow plots was compared to parcels of preserved native forest, with no history of use (control). Forest biomass and carbon stocks of shoots and roots of fallow vegetation recover to levels equivalent to preserved forest areas after 30 years in Lowland Dense Ombrophilous Forest (FODTB) and 10 years in Restinga Forest. Shifting agricultural management does not significantly affect the chemical characteristics of Restinga and FODTB soils. The immediate effects due to ash deposition are not maintained throughout the fallow cycle. Apparently, the edaphic and hydraulic conditions of each specific Restinga present limitations that impose the type of plant community that will be developed in them and a shorter period (15 years) to return to their fertility. In the areas in FODTB after 60 years of fallow, secondary forests showed characteristics equivalent to preserved forests, but some parameters relevant to the assessment of forest dynamics, such as the proportion of zoochoric and pioneer species, have already been reached after 5 and 30 years. Years, respectively, when 21 and 56% of the local biodiversity was already restored. It is considered that secondary forests formed by shifting agriculture systems, in addition to supporting traditional populations, contribute to the conservation of natural resources by maintaining native forest cover, ensuring connectivity and reducing the edge effect on preserved forests. In addition, they provide ecosystem services such as carbon storage, provision of food for the associated fauna and nutrient cycling. It is concluded that the SAIs studied maintain soil fertility, recover the carbon stocks lost by cutting and burning aboveground biomass, and contribute to the conservation of diversity. Otherwise, adjustments in the planning of this activity seem to be necessary so that the time of fallow is sufficient. In conclusion, the maintenance of the numerous modalities of SAIs cannot be categorized as beneficial, harmful or neutral to the set of implications involved in human relations or forest ecology, in the studied area

Moderate swidden agriculture inside dense evergreen ombrophilous forests can sustain soil chemical properties over 10–15 year cycles within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Swidden agriculture as a production system has been practiced for thousands of years, based on ecological processes of forest ecosystems. While this cultivation system has often been framed as contributing to environmental degradation, it can also be argued to be compatible with sustainable agricultural practices. Its sustainability strongly depends on the length of the recovery period, the period of secondary forest succession, after swidden agriculture. In this study we focused on soil fertility maintenance and recovery during secondary succession after swidden agriculture, compared to old-growth forests. Smallholders practiced a moderate form of swidden agriculture, abandoned the production field after one or two production cycles, and returned to the field after 10–15 years. Sampling took place in two traditional communities situated in the southeast portion of the Atlantic Rainforest at São Paulo state, Brazil. Soil samples were collected from forest fragments belonging to seven different Caiçara families (descendants from Amerindians, African Brazilian and European colonizers). Our chronosequence spanned a period of sixty years, while the old-growth forests were 100 years old. In all 28 sites were sampled, of which 19 were from ombrophilous forests on clay and 9 from restinga vegetation on sandy soil. Soils were analyzed for texture, macro- and micronutrient availability, bulk density, pH and nitrogen and carbon stocks. Linear regression, with clay content and fallow period as main factors, showed that successional age of the forest stand had only a significant effect on pH and Mn. Clay content of the soil influenced availability of nutrient bases and the CEC. Other soil properties, including stocks of carbon and nitrogen were not influenced by fallow period. Our data indicate that swidden agriculture might not lose key soil nutrients over time and hence can be considered an ecologically sustainable system in the region, challenging the negative perception of swidden agriculture.</p