Agroecologia versus agricultura convencional: um estudo comparado entre os sítios Ribeirão e São Tomé - Alagoa Nova - PB.

Abstract

This paper discusses the agroecological practices on Sítio Ribeiro compared to the conventional agriculture practices on Sítio São Tomé, both located in the city of Alagoa Nova – PB. We analyzed the autonomous practices and the subordination practices these two agricultural production models. We aimed to understand the agricultural practices these two properties from the Agroecology analysis and the influence of the capitalist agricultural practices current in the territory and in the peasant productions on the agreste region. Qualitative analyzes reported by the interviewees underlie and underpin the research. Neoliberal practices support to pesticides encouraged by the State government and after abandoned by the peasants opting for the agroecological model differ from the practices of the farm production company of vegetables, which intensify the use these products. We emphasize the territorial conquests by the peasants through the Agroecological Fairs on the cities of the agreste region of Paraíba acquiring tools to agricultural autonomy, ensuring the social dignity of the peasants who are beginning to impose to the intermediaries’ practices taking their production directly to the consumer. They are imposing themselves supported by the associations and unions. The methodology used to making the research was based on fieldwork at the Agroecological Fairs, on the agricultural production of the Sítios São Tomé and Ribeiro, photographic records, video records, questionnaires and interviews in order to analyze and compare the dichotomies existent between the farms. The conquest of agricultural autonomy occurs locally with the maintenance of the cultures and the peasants’ habits such as the selection of native seeds exalting the food security and the peasant autonomy.