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Agroecological and Social Transformations for Coexistence with Semi-Aridity in Brazil

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  • Aldrin M. Pérez-Marin

    (Instituto Nacional do Semiárido (INSA), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência do Solo da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Av. Francisco Lopes de Almeida, s/n, Serrotão, Campina Grande, Paraíba CEP 58429-970, Brazil)

  • Paul Rogé

    (Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management (ESPM), University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Miguel A. Altieri

    (Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management (ESPM), University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Luis F. Ulloa Forer

    (Instituto Nacional do Semiárido (INSA), Project INSA-ASA, Av. Francisco Lopes de Almeida, s/n, Serrotão, Campina Grande, Paraíba CEP 58429-970, Brazil)

  • Luciano Silveira

    (Articulação do Semiarido Brasileiro (ASA), Assessoria a Projeto em Agricultura Alternativa (ASPTA), Rua Nicarágua, 111, Espinheiro, Recife, Pernambuco CEP 52020-190, Brazil)

  • Victor M. Oliveira

    (Instituto Nacional do Semiárido (INSA), Project INSA-ASA, Av. Francisco Lopes de Almeida, s/n, Serrotão, Campina Grande, Paraíba CEP 58429-970, Brazil)

  • Barbara E. Domingues-Leiva

    (Laboratory of Agroecology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

Abstract

This article explores whether a shift in development paradigm resulted in coexistence with semi-aridity for residents of the Semi-Arid region of Brazil (SAB). If so, which strategies contributed and which conditions facilitated it? We conducted a comparative analysis of the transformations that occurred in 10 territories of the SAB during two time periods: PI (1973–2001) when “development” policies almost exclusively aimed to “combat drought and its effects”; and PII (2002–2016) when a concept of coexistence with semi-aridity informed policy making. Our study from the 10 territories of the SAB show significant changes between PI and PII. On average, there was a substantial improvement in Access to Water Infrastructure (+33%∆), Diversification of Production Systems (Animals +36%∆; Crops +61%∆), Management of Common Pool Resources (+45%∆), Involvement in Spaces of Political Organizing (+24%∆), and Access to Public Programs (+29%∆). As such, “coexistence” went from concept to action as a consequence of structural, agroecological, social, and management transformations in combination with a strengthening of mechanisms for community reciprocity. These were characterized by (a) the creation of resource reserves for use during times of drought; (b) the efficient use of available natural resources; and (c) enhanced articulation between diverse actors.

Suggested Citation

  • Aldrin M. Pérez-Marin & Paul Rogé & Miguel A. Altieri & Luis F. Ulloa Forer & Luciano Silveira & Victor M. Oliveira & Barbara E. Domingues-Leiva, 2017. "Agroecological and Social Transformations for Coexistence with Semi-Aridity in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:6:p:990-:d:100862
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Miguel A. Altieri & Clara I. Nicholls & Rene Montalba, 2017. "Technological Approaches to Sustainable Agriculture at a Crossroads: An Agroecological Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Kattumuri, Ruth & Ravindranath, Darshini & Esteves, Tashina, 2017. "Local adaptation strategies in semi-arid regions: study of two villages in Karnataka, India," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 64057, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    2. Victor Galaz & Megan Meacham, 2024. "Redirecting Flows -- Navigating the Future of the Amazon," Papers 2403.18521, arXiv.org, revised Apr 2024.
    3. Letícia Wittlin Machado & Emilio Lèbre La Rovere, 2017. "The Traditional Technological Approach and Social Technologies in the Brazilian Semiarid Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Carolina Milhorance & Jean-François Le Coq & Eric Sabourin, 2021. "Dealing with cross-sectoral policy problems: An advocacy coalition approach to climate and water policy integration in Northeast Brazil," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 54(3), pages 557-578, September.
    5. Diego Pereira Lindoso & Flávio Eiró & Marcel Bursztyn & Saulo Rodrigues-Filho & Stephanie Nasuti, 2018. "Harvesting Water for Living with Drought: Insights from the Brazilian Human Coexistence with Semi-Aridity Approach towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-16, February.
    6. Sophia Dobkowitz & Ariane Walz & Gabriele Baroni & Aldrin M. Pérez-Marin, 2020. "Cross-Scale Vulnerability Assessment for Smallholder Farming: A Case Study from the Northeast of Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-24, May.
    7. Poliana Araújo Palmeira & Ruben Araujo de Mattos & Rosana Salles-Costa, 2020. "Food security governance promoted by national government at the local level: a case study in Brazil," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(3), pages 591-606, June.

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