Autonomia ou submissão? Uma análise sobre os mecanismos de certificação orgânica adotados pelos agricultores familiares do estado da Paraíba

Abstract

The discussion about organic production is growing, since before, until after the approval of the Organic Law of Brazil, the Law No. 10.831 / 2003. In Paraíba, the debate on the regulation of organics has intensified since 2007, when the Paraíba Organic Production Commission (CPOrg-PB) was created. According to the Agricultural Census (2006), the state of Paraíba has 410. 732 Family Farmers (FAs) occupying the rural establishments. Of this total amount, by January 2019, 518 AFs were registered with the National Register of Organic Producers (CNPO). This research aims to analyze if local development is established in function of the commercialization of organic products certified by family farmers. This study counted on the participation of FA organizations registered at CNPO. They are: ECOVÁRZEA and Agroecology Borborema Network. Also, had the participation of a Family Farmer of the Lagoa Seca Agroecological Fair. Each represented a specific organic conformity assessment mechanism, ie a Social Control Body (OCS), a Participatory Conformity Assessment Body (OPAC) and Audit Certification. These evaluation mechanisms are recognized and supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA). The research also had the collaboration of representatives of CPOrg-PB. The methodology used was qualitative / quantitative. A bibliographic survey, documentary analysis, data tabulation and field research were conducted through open interviews, using script of previously semi-structured questions, notes in field notebooks, participant and non-participant observation, participation in meetings and informal conversations. The evaluation mechanisms attest to the organic quality of the products, but the activities developed by each organic conformity assessment process are quite different. The seriousness and responsibility of how the processes of ECOVÁRZEA, the Borborema Agroecology Network and the experience of the family farmer who accessed the certification audit are developed show that the processes are safe and can really guarantee the organic quality of the products. to the consumer. At the time of conducting this research, the CNPO had 518 Paraíba AFs inserted in the different mechanisms for assessing organic compliance. The percentages of access across the different mechanisms are distributed as follows: 89% are in OCSs, 6% are organized by an OPAC / SPG and 5% access certification by audit.