Structuring NEA - Center for Agroecological Studies based on demands resulting from community mobilization and future perspectives

Abstract

This report represents the initial stage of structuring the Center for Agroecological Studies
(NEA) of the Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais/Campus Salinas, based on a meeting
with representatives of rural communities, the Rural Workers’ Union, the Empresa de Assistência
Técnica e Extensão Rural (EMATER) and the Municipal Secretary of Agriculture and Environment
and religious leaderships. Demands were made for the production of medicinal plants,
organic foods and agroforestry practices, and established goals such as: structuring the NEA,
implementing a medicinal vegetable garden, diagnosing communities capable of conversion to
agroecological food production, and implementing an agroforestry system (SAF) for alternative
soil management. It is hoped that, with the formation of the NEA, it will be possible to build a
socio-environmental culture focused on the environment preservation and conservation, agroecological
practices and valuation of family producers in the region.