Agroecology as a public matter: an overlook through the trajectory of Brazil's National Articulation of Agroecology

Abstract

The proposal of agroecology has emerged in recent decades inserted into non-hegemonic developmental alternatives, expressing itself broadly as a social movement, science, practice, and lifestyle. Several social movement organizations and NGOs of the agro-ecological field congregate in the National Articulation of Agroecology (ANA). This research sought to understand the formation and political organization of the ANA, which is understood as a network with heterogeneous connections and social actors, established in 2002 to promote policy formulation and exchanges between organizations working with agroecology. We followed ANA’s trajectory to understand how the association promoted agroecology as a recognized public issue and represented itself as a social network, both for converging approaches and actions, as to oppose the agribusiness and to dispute public policies. The study begins with the historical reconstruction of the agro-ecological movement, from the initial steps of alternative agriculture to the spreading and defense of agroecology by different actors and sectors. As methodological tools, we conducted semi-structured interviews, participated in events and analyzed various documents. The action as a network, even in a horizontal effort, revealed concentrations, controversies and dynamics with different degrees of involvement. The study allowed us to observe the relationships and social processes that led to the formation of the ANA, as well as its form of action as a network and its representation as part of the agro-ecological movement. ANA boosted the political significance of agroecology as a frame, mobilized the actors to a public issue and to network shares with proposals for a new utopia.