Agroecological transition: knowledge of ecological practices in the territory of Miguel Calmon-BA

Abstract

The production of healthy food in quantities necessary to accompany the population growth, being these produced without harming the environment and taking into account the traditional knowledge, is the counterpoint to the hegemonic model of conventional agriculture. The purpose of this study was to learn about agroecological transition in the Miguel Calmon city in Brazil. Semi-structured questionnaires were applied to 98 farms workers to obtain data about the use of pesticides and knowledge of ecological practices. Of the interviewees, only 28% reported knowledge about agroecology or organic production, although 40% of farmers stated that they don’t use pesticides. The few farmers who conceptualized the terms referred mainly to agroecology as the production of food without pesticides. It is necessary that the knowledge of agroecology be improved in this community. This is important to improve the agroecological technologies for who don’t use pesticides and to opposing the conventional production for who are unaware the sustainable agriculture.