ABREU, L. S. de

ALENCAR, M. de C. F.

BELLON, S.

English

Repository Open Access to Scientific Information from Embrapa

Theme 2: The Rural Bites Back Brazilian multifaceted ecologically-based agriculture: Between conventionalization and agroecological principles application Lucimar S. de Abreu Emhrapa Environment. Brazil, Stephane Bellon SAD Ecodevelopment Unit. JNRA. France Maria de C. F. Alencar Embrapa Environment, Brazil 149 In Brazil, recent legal changes have included several agricultural systems in the organic agriculture legislation, i.e., organic agriculture per se, biodynamic agriculture, pennaculture, agroecology. However, some consider agroecology as being the umbrella for these ecological forms of agriculture, including organic agriculture. As a result, many initiatives were launched by various stakeholders: government institutions; research, training and extension organizations; NGOs or fanners groups. This debate illustrates the different interpretations of organic agriculture among farmers groups and researchers. Based on an analysis of documents (Brazilian congress proceedings and journal articles) as well as data from interviews, meetings and fairs, we analyse the current development of organic fanning in Brazil. The conventionalization debate in Brazil is posed in specific tenns, as organic agriculture is often interpreted as a method substituting conventional inputs and practices with alternative eligible practices. Other fonns of agriculture are considered as genuine alternatives to conventional farming, i.e. based on redesigning farms and agroecosystems on the basis of new ecological processes. Organic agriculture is thus seen as favouring large scale producers, supennarkets (packaging enhancing visual quality of products) and eJSPort markets. As a whole, the discourse is not explicit in scientific publications, although the literature discussing the industrialization model of Brazilian agriculmre is extensive. We conclude that in most cases research and field work does not address the development of organic agriculture in terms of conventionalisation, but as interpretations of organiC agriculture and oppositions between alternative agricultural models. Strengthenil1~ the organic farming development: From the convention.,gation debate to the sustainable perspective Jean-Luc Favreau, Mohamed Gafsi, Bernard Mondy and Agnes Terrieux UMR Dynamiques Rurales. ENFA, France The current debate about conventionalisation thesis of organic farming reminds us of the importance of values and principles which are behind this type of agriculture: the search for a coherence connecting agricultural production, ecological management, ethics, and public health. But to address the topic of conventionalisation through the general principles of organic farming and its founders' intentions might put us at risk of being restricted to a narrow framework and thus missing important points of the debate. To avoid this risk, we suggest using a notion whose principles and objectives are close to those of organic fanning. yet more global: sustainability. Rather than creating new indicators to estimate the conventionalisation, we assess the sustainability offarms committed to different degrees in the process of conventionalisation and compare them to others, which are using pioneering organic fanning methods. To do this, we built and used an indicator system adapted to the specificities of organiC farming. Results show various forms of sustainability, closely related to the forms of entrepreneurial farms and the ways they mobilize economic, social or natural capitals. This is illustrated by case studies of farms of the Region Midi-Pyrenees, in south-west of France. 

Brazilian multifaceted ecologically-based agriculture: Between conventionalization and agroecological principles application.

https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/bitstream/doc/579354/1/2009RA08.pdf

Brazilian multifaceted ecologically-based agriculture: Between conventionalization and agroecological principles application.

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