Problematizing the Incra-Embrapa cooperation

Abstract

Based on the actions developed by the INCRA-Embrapa partnership in the settlements of Rio Grande do Sul from 2003 to 2015, the problem of technological adoption in ten settlements was analyzed. It was used a mixed methodology, with documentary analysis and field research. In this, we conducted semi-structured interviews through a simplified ethnography, complemented by agronomic-economic analysis, evaluating production systems for the year 2017. The actions of the partnership focused on technicians and leaderships, with low participation of the settlers. For those who participated, we found low adoption. The results corroborate the idea that Brazilian agriculture is expelling those farmers who are unable to professionalize themselves, a process that is far from being contained by participatory and “agroecological” propositions.