Rural Associativism as a Development Strategy for a Family Farming

Abstract

The objective of the present work is to discuss the role of rural associativism in the articulation of family farmers to search for strategies that guarantee improvements in their living conditions. Initially, a discussion is presented regarding the production and dynamics of family agriculture in Brazil over time. Then, it is reflected on the relationship between family agriculture and public policies, in particular the National Program for Strengthening Family Agriculture (PRONAF), emphasizing the importance of the same for this category. Finally, an approach is taken to the issue of rural associativism as a meaningful practice to enable the awareness of the rights and duties of family farmers and the supply of their basic needs, which are often denied. Process that considerably influences the process of production and reproduction of family farming. In order to base the analysis, interwoven visions of authors such as Schneider and Niederle (2010), Abramovay (1997), Junquera and Lima (2008), Mattei (2005), Abramovay and Veiga (1999), Vilella 2006), among others.