Assessing the context of agroecological farming and enabling agroecological transitions in SC, Brazil

The industrial agri-food system is a major contributor to global environmental and social problems. One alternative with the potential to jointly address these issues is agroecology, defined as the application of ecological principles to the design of agricultural systems in a way that respects diverse local contexts. Yet farmers’ uptake of agroecological management practices has remained relatively low.

Using Santa Catarina, Brazil as a case study, I will investigate the factors that enable and constrain different farms when transitioning from industrial to agroecological management. While the research will be grounded in Brazil, the diversity found in this large agricultural nation allows for broad conclusions to be drawn about how and to what extent agroecology can be supported in other contexts. These insights will allow policymakers to build an enabling environment that better facilitates transitions toward a more sustainable, healthy, and just global food system.

Faculty Supervisor:

Hannah Wittman

Student:

Partner:

Federal University of Santa Catarina - to merge

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Agriculture and Food; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: