O avanço do agronegócio em Nossa Senhora de Lourdes/SE: dissipação dos cultivos tradicionais e desfiguração da cultura alimentar

Abstract

Food, its production, commercialization and consumption constitute a relevant theme, mainly from the conformation of the dominant model of current agricultural production, called agribusiness. It is a model that prioritizes commodities, supported by the exacerbated use of chemical inputs that negatively impacts food environments with a drastic reduction in food cultivation, contributes to the formation of food deserts and reflects in the growth of insecurity food and nutrition. The objective of this research is to analyze the transformations in the productive dynamics of agriculture in the territory of the municipality of Nossa Senhora de Lourdes/SE and its implications in the production, commercialization and consumption of food. The dissertation is based on the parameters of a qualitative research. The methodological procedures were based on the theoretical review of the geographical category territory, discussions about agribusiness, food environments and food and nutrition sovereignty and security. In the sequence, documental analyzes of secondary data and information that deal with the socioeconomic and agricultural dimensions of the research clipping were carried out. Semistructured interviews were carried out, based on the snowball technique, with farmers, owners of establishments that sell food, consumers, stallholders and representatives of the agriculture and health departments. We found that, although the municipality is far from the economic centers of Brazil, it was influenced by the ideals proclaimed by agribusiness, with an increase in agricultural production of goods – such as corn – to the detriment of staple foods in the diet of the inhabitants. On the other hand, we observed in commercial establishments the predominance of ultra-processed foods and a decrease in fresh and minimally processed foods. The high supply of ultra-processed products and ease of access contribute to changes in the population's eating habits. Therefore, we consider the development of intersectoral actions at the municipal level to be essential, which also encourage food farming practices, with a view to guaranteeing the Food and Nutritional Security of citizens and the dissemination of educational projects aimed at food education.