Agroecological Experiences and Resistance in the Production of Knowledge and Healthy Food: Geraldo Garcia Training and Research Center – Geraldo Garcia Settlement, Sidrolândia/MS

Abstract

The Geraldo Garcia Training and Research Center (CEPEGE), founded by the Landless Workers' Movement (MST) in 2002 and located in the Geraldo Garcia settlement in Sidrolândia/MS, is a space for political education and the exchange of agroecological knowledge in Sidrolândia, the second Brazilian municipality with the largest number of settlements. CEPEGE, which occupies the former headquarters of the Geraldo Garcia settlement, is vital in promoting agroecology, healthy eating, and natural medicine, and played a special role during the Covid-19 pandemic, when it reinforced the fight against hunger and social control of land. The objective of the report presented is to record and share with others the main activities carried out at CEPEGE over the last years, so that it can generate more accessible knowledge about the importance of this center focused on popular education and agroecology. To construct the report, interviews were conducted with people from the MST, mainly activists, who work at CEPEGE, in addition to collecting photographs and other data. As a result, the importance of CEPEGE is demonstrated not only for the Geraldo Garcia settlement, but for the entire peasant struggle in Mato Grosso do Sul, for the promotion of health and healthy and affordable food, and as a reference for agroecological practices and exchanges of experiences.