Agroecological transition: experience with farmers in the south of Minas Gerais

Abstract

The farmer who adheres to Agroecology and aims to certify their production as organic, goes
through a period known as the agroecological transition. In rural extension experiments, promoted
by the partnership with Orgânicos Sul de Minas, environmental awareness, market
opportunity and pesticide poisoning risks are strong reasons that lead farmers to opt for this
path. It was identified that in the transition period the clarification on the regulation for organic
production and alternatives for the phytosanitary control and plant nutrition are common points
and constantly demanded. In the face of the experiences, it is suggested that the technical
knowledge is not passed on by “simple recipes” but rather by a construction to be carried out
by the sum of knowledge valuing the experience of all involved, where the interrelationships are
worked by the horizontality, dialogue and respect for the possibilities of each farmer.