Agroecological Fairs

Security and Food Sovereignty in the Settlement of Bela Manhã/Bahia

Abstract

Agrarian Reform Settlements aim to establish a decent life through the production of subsistence and the generation of income from the surplus that at the same time supply the urban centers and peripheries with diversified and healthy food. In the extreme south of Bahia is located the Agroecological Settlement Bela Manhã with 130 families, of which, 10 participate in the agroecological fairs promoted by UFSB) in partnership with the MST that happen every 15 days. In this way, it is necessary to improve the knowledge on the eating habits and what is produced in the production yards, which are the foods commercialized, the diversity of the productive yards for the food and nutritional security of the families and the consumers. Farmers participating in the fair were interviewed to understand the process of production and participation in the fair, as well as to investigate farmers' consumption of their own production. 31 types of products are sold within the groups: leaves, vegetables, grains, processed and processed, in total there are more than 1092 items brought to the fair and marketed directly to the population of the city of Teixeira de Freitas. The diversity of products represents the food sovereignty to the Assentados who have the knowledge and tools to produce such products and to the population of the city of Teixeira de Freitas Food Security because they have a range of products of good quality produced agroecologically, without the use of agrochemicals and chemical fertilizers.