Characteristics of organic agriculture in Southern Brazil

evidence from the 2017 agricultural census

Abstract

The relevance of this study is based on the fact that there is growing evidence that the production and consumption of organics are expanding in Brazil and worldwide. In the national territory, the South Region gains enormous prominence, considering that it corresponds to the Region with the largest number of organic registers. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to outline the profile of organic agriculture in Brazil from the Southern Region context, outlining a profile of both the establishments and the producers who practice organic agriculture. To this end, a systematization and analysis of data from the Agricultural Census 2017 referring to establishments that make use of organic agriculture was carried out using Microsoft Excel Software, seeking to interpret them in light of the literature that discusses the reality of both organic agriculture and agroecology. A brief characterization of the historical basis of the conformation of agroecology and organic production in Southern Brazil was also carried out, highlighting the relevance of local organizations for both the Region and the country today. It is concluded that establishments under family management prevail, in areas between 5 and less than 20 hectares. Most of these establishments are managed by men, usually between 35 and less than 75 years old. Moreover, most of the organic producers that manage the farm are not associated with any class entity and do not have any access to Technical Assistance. Finally, we point out the need to maintain this form of production in future Censuses, considering the importance of expanding the aspects to be determined, as well as methodological refinements that allow historical comparisons between consecutive censuses.

Keywords: Ecologically based agriculture. Agroecology. Organic production systems. IBGE.