Earth transformed into bread: the experience of the Capela settlement, Nova Santa Rita - RS.

Abstract

COOPAN - Cooperativa Agropecuária Nova Santa Rita (Nova Santa Rita, RS) is an example
of collective work in agroecology. Since 1989, when the occupation of land began, workers
were already carrying out collective activities. With the consolidation of the settlement in 1994
some settlers founded the coop. Currently, COOPAN produces and markets mainly rice, milk
and swine. Part of the production is marketed through institutional programs (PAA and PNAE).
The objective of this work was to investigate COOPAN as an example of success for collective
actions to promote rural development. This model has been a source of inspiration for similar
initiatives in various parts of the country and Latin America, especially in the ambit of Via Campesina.
The research was conducted in January 2015 through ethnography, interviews and
documentary analysis. Among the main conclusions the environmental and socioeconomic
advances achieved by the cooperative are highlighted.