Ecological-based practices in periurban agroecosystems in the Northeastern Semi-arid region, Brazil.

Abstract

The management practices adopted in urban and periurban agriculture based on the foundations of agroecology as a science, movement and practice, favor the production of ecologically based foods, strengthen the way of life of the farmers who dedicate themselves to this activity in the cities and shall be considered as priority. However, some agroecosystems are still in transition, at different levels. In this sense, the aim of this work was to evaluate the basic ecological practices adopted in two agroecosystems in the process of agroecological transition, located in the city of Petrolina-PE. This evaluation was conducted through participatory diagnostic tools, semi-structured interviews and participant observations. Based on established indicators, it could be verified that the agroecosystems under study are in the process of agroecological transition in relation to socio-productive management practices.