Construção social do mercado agroecológico com base em circuitos de proximidade: experiência do Grupo para Consumo Agroecológico (GRUCA)

Abstract

Food and nutrition security is a very recurrent issue of great relevance, especially with the extent of competition between capitalist production systems. In this way, family farming has sought alternatives that are viable to guarantee its logistical and marketing structure. Responsible consumption groups are one of these alternatives, as it has aspects based on the joint participation of producers and consumers in order to guarantee social justice, healthy food, respect, cultural preservation and the possibility of exchanging knowledge. The research sought to study alternative agroecological markets, more specifically the GRUCA (Group for Agroecological Consumption), which is a responsible consumption group in the Metropolitan Region of Belém (RMB). And it aimed to describe the experience of GRUCA, demonstrating how the social construction of the agroecological market has been taking place, seeking improvements in self- management as a challenge. The research methodology consists of a case study, with an exploratory objective and a qualitative approach. Studies were carried out regarding the ethnography of GRUCA producers and consumers, socio-productive diversity and their marketing flows. Data were obtained from the research modalities: bibliographical, fieldworks and participant observation; also, through survey forms and data analysis on the group’s digital platform. Outcomes shows that GRUCA makes a contribution to local development that goes beyond the merely commercial market, as it strengthens the bonds of familiarity, trust and affection between its actors, regarding the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the group complies with SDG nº 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), but it does not fit SDG nº 2 (Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture), since the social construction of its consumers is composed of a select social portion, where most consumers have high purchasing power, and this goal aims to combat hunger aimed at the poorest social spheres. This implies the search for strategies for responsible consumption to reach other social classes as well, as it is still not very inclusive. As products of the dissertation, were produced: digital booklet, socio-productive cartography, executive summary and normative instruction.