A TRANSIÇÃO DO SISTEMA DE CULTIVO CONVENCIONAL PARA O AGROECOLÓGICO EM UM LOTE DO ASSENTAMENTO TAQUARAL, CORUMBÁ/MS

Abstract

The modernization of agriculture created the illusion that peasants could produce in the same condition as large farms, with extensive use of machinery, equipment, and agricultural inputs. Actually, this model imposes on the peasants a relationship of dependence over capital and favors the introduction of foods with varying levels of pesticides in the market. Fighting against this production logic is an urgent necessity for agroecology groups. The objective of this work is to analyze the transition process from conventional production methods to the agroecological system on a plot owned by a peasant family in the Taquaral settlement in Corumbá/MS. Action research and agroecological experimentation were employed on a plot of land within the Agrarian Reform, yielding highly positive results that established an important technological showcase for neighboring peasants. 103 okra plants, 426 bell pepper plants, 787 cilantro plants, 514 arugula plants, 333 smooth leaf lettuce plants, 191 curly leaf lettuce plants, and 1,233 green onion plants were cultivated. The insect attack was completely repelled using a red pepper syrup. Peasants noticed cost savings in production and improved quality (flavor, appearance, and shelf life) of their products in the agroecological system compared to conventional methods, which led to a change in their production choice.

Keywords: Agroecology; Peasant Agriculture; Green Revolution; Agroecological Transition.