Fernando Silveira Franco

Participatory construction in agroforestry systems in family farming: ways for the agroecological transition in Brazil

ABSTRACT This article aims to analyze the implementation of Agroforestry Systems (AFS) by family farmers, assessing their contribution to agroecological transition and understanding the process of knowledge construction. The study was carried out in family farming farms in the Sumaré Rural Settlement, and in the area of Family Farming and Agroecological Cooperative (Cooperacra), respectively located in the municipalities of Sumaré and Americana, São Paulo State, Brazil. The methodology was based on a case study, using Focal Groups and Field Notes as research instruments. On the basis of our analysis, there were social changes in the farmers’ organization and in the decision-making process, as well as in the landscape in the areas of AFS and surroundings, where agroecological principles were also applied to production. In Sumaré, the four farmers participating in the project organized themselves to obtain organic certification. Cooperacra, which works with a group of 10 farmers advanced in the process of agroecological transition, starting from an intensive organic horticulture production system to a biodiverse agroforestry system. Despite the short time of the project, the construction of knowledge in relation to agroforestry systems was perceived through management techniques incorporated by the farmers in their agroecosystems. The arboreal component, which thus far the farmers had seen as something to be eliminated to realize agriculture, was introduced and became a relevant part of the process. The results demonstrate the feasibility and potential of AFS in the process of agroecological transition toward a more sustainable agriculture.

O plano diretor influencia na produção de serviços ambientais? Um estudo de caso na microbacia do Pirajibu-Mirim, em Sorocaba, SP

O presente trabalho buscou avaliar os impactos do plano diretor de ummunicipio sob a perspectiva de producao e conservacao de servicosambientais. Localizada em Sorocaba (SP), a microbacia do Pirajibu-Mirimfoi delimitada como area de estudo, e mapas de zoneamento, uso do solo,modelo digital de elevacao e declividade foram elaborados. Com a analise dosdados, observa‑se que a zona rural (ZR) e a zona de conservacao ambiental(ZCA) sofreram reducoes, assim como o tamanho minimo estipulado paralotes em zonas de chacaras urbanas (ZCH). Embora atividades agricolas sejamescassas no municipio, essas zonas sao imprescindiveis para o aumento dapermeabilidade do solo nas cidades e, quando manejadas corretamente,contribuem para a recarga dos lencois freaticos. Alem disso, grande parteda microbacia e ocupada por areas degradadas e ociosas. Diante dessecontexto, sao sugeridas alternativas em curto e medio prazo para a melhoriada permeabilidade do solo em uma microbacia produtora de agua.