Desenvolvimento territorial no Nordeste: um método de diagnóstico e planejamento participativos.

Abstract

The text presents an experience of an action–research implemented by a partnership involving the Small Farmers Union of Lagoa Seca (Paraíba), AS-PTA, the Federal University of Campina Grande and CIRAD. The main goal was to discuss guidelines for new public policies for family farming originating from the analysis of the impact of present and past public policies and the lessons learnt by local development initiatives. The article also refers to the learning process that happened during the research, involving researchers, NGO staff, family farmers and their leaders, describing motivations, methodology and the lessons learnt in the process. Key words: action–research, public policies, family farming.