Mapping the Current Condition of Solidarity Economy and Family Farming in RN, Northeast of Brazil

Abstract

This research surveys the current conditions of the solidarity economy (SE) and family farming in the Northeast of Brazil, examines sustainability of alternative local food systems, the role of food provision, the level of food security, and the possibility of community development. The full research intends to explore ways to contribute to the livelihood of the people involved in the study. The research method is Participatory Action Research (PAR) which is composed of four collective processes, mapping conditions, implementation of actions for change; analysis of the effects of actions and reflection. Thus, the main objective of this portion of the research is the mapping of the current condition of the SE and family farming. The methodology consists in a literature review and the analyses of interviews with actors in the Northeast state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), the stakeholders were divided in three groups for pedagogical purpose, family farmers and people directly engaged with SE, community organizers and academics. This is a work in progress and include data from interviews with the group of people directly engaged with SE and family farming. The results appointed some conditions and possibilities of the SE, the importance of supporting institutions for the SE in this micro-region and will serve as basis for the continued research.

Keywords: Solidarity economy, Family farming, Participatory Action Research