A rede carioca de agricultura urbana (REDE CAU) há 15 anos contribuindo na transição agroecológica do Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

This paper aims to systematize and analyze the contribution of the Rede CAU to the agroecological transition of Rio de Janeiro over its 15 years of activity. The research, conducted collaboratively with the network's members, combined qualitative and quantitative methods, such as action-research and experience systematization. Data collection involved participant observation, semi-structured interviews with network members, and analysis of documents produced by the network. For the Rede CAU, the agroecological transition is a continuous and multidimensional process that, beyond agricultural practices, encompasses political, social, environmental, economic, and cultural transformations. It seeks modes of life reproduction based on autonomy, social justice, gender and race equity, youth empowerment, and territorial defense. The systematization of this process was organized into five axes: (1) composition and members of the Rede CAU; (2) actions and processes carried out; (3) methodologies created and adopted; (4) construction of agroecological fairs and markets; and (5) dreams of the network. The results highlight the role of the Rede CAU as an agent of territorial change, developing actions such as social mobilization, promoting the production of healthy food and food security, building agroecological markets, exchanging knowledge, organic certification through participatory processes, interaction with government bodies, lawmaking and environmental protection. The research revealed that, despite the challenges, the Rede CAU has contributed to the agroecological transition of the city, mainly in themes such as popular supply, food security, preservation of the Atlantic Forest biome, production processing, seed guardians, identity recognition, socially just relations, and political influence. The conclusions emphasize that cooperation and networking were essential to strengthen and enable the agroecological transition, with the network's very existence being one of its greatest achievements.