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Social Learning and Paulo Freire Concepts for Understanding Food Security Cases in Brazil

Author

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  • Michelle Bonatti

    (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF e.V), 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
    Department of Agricultural Economics, Humboldt University of Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany)

  • Juliano Borba

    (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF e.V), 15374 Müncheberg, Germany)

  • Katharina Löhr

    (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF e.V), 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
    Departament of Urban Plant Ecophysiology, Humboldt University of Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany)

  • Crystal Tremblay

    (Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC 999040, Canada)

  • Stefan Sieber

    (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF e.V), 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
    Department of Agricultural Economics, Humboldt University of Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

Food insecurity is a wicked, complex, and critical problem. Although evidence supporting a wide range of assertions regarding the outcomes of social learning is still being investigated, its potential to improve food security challenges is growing. Nonetheless, more work is needed to understand when and how social learning-oriented approaches are effective in food security situations. We address this gap by investigating how elements of social learning and Freire’s key concepts are exemplified in existing real-world experiences of food security in rural communities. The case studies in Brazil, Community Seed Banks in Paraíba State, in the northeast and Biodiversity Kit in Guaraciaba, Santa Catarina State, in the south, are examples of small farmers facing and overcoming their limit-situation of food insecurity through celebrating, planting, and saving traditional seeds (landraces). A mixed-methods approach was applied based on semi-structured interviews and a literature review. The key findings show that local initiatives based on the interconnections of social learning and Freire´s concepts have improved food security in two cases. The practice of landrace rescue as a food security strategy is strengthened through a culture of closeness and solidarity, through values that are celebrated in the festivities, community meetings, and other exchanges of experiences. Applications of our conceptual framework in operational interventions show clear potential for generating the necessary changes for a more sustainable world, specifically in food security and sovereignty projects, as described in the cases studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle Bonatti & Juliano Borba & Katharina Löhr & Crystal Tremblay & Stefan Sieber, 2021. "Social Learning and Paulo Freire Concepts for Understanding Food Security Cases in Brazil," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-11, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:9:p:807-:d:622477
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alison Shaw & Patti Kristjanson, 2014. "A Catalyst toward Sustainability? Exploring Social Learning and Social Differentiation Approaches with the Agricultural Poor," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(5), pages 1-33, May.
    2. Bonatti, Michelle & Schlindwein, Sandro L. & Vasconcelos, Ana Carolina F. de & Sieber, Stefan & Agostini, Luiz Renato D & Lana, Marcos A. & Fantini, Alfredo C. & Homem, Larissa H. I. & Canci, Adriano, 2013. "Social Organization and Agricultural Strategies to Face Climate Variability: A Case Study in Guaraciaba, Southern Brazil," Sustainable Agriculture Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 2(3).
    3. Arika Ligmann-Zielinska & Louie Rivers, 2018. "A holistic vision for food security research," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 38(1), pages 3-5, March.
    4. John Bongaarts, 2021. "FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020. Transforming food systems for affordable healthy diets FAO, 2020, 320 p," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 47(2), pages 558-558, June.
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