Da produção ao consumo: interfaces da (in)segurança alimentar e nutricional no espaço rural do município de Japaratuba/SE

Abstract

Food and nourishment are fundamental to the reading of human processes from the beginning to the present day. To understand the modus operandi of different food systems is also to assimilate the logic that permeates them, in which social groups they intend to benefit. The hegemonic agri-food system has been based on agribusiness, a production model that is built on the pillars of historical land inequality, the exploitation of human labor and natural resources, in addition to being based on mechanization and the use of pesticides. To the extent that it is the result of inequities, it also shows itself to be a driving force for their maintenance, as well as for the conception of other scenarios of social inequalities. The significant share of individuals in a condition of Food and Nutrition Insecurity (FNI) at the global level demonstrates that valuing food under strictly economic molds distances it from its primary function: nourish human beings. Contrary to the problem in question, sustainable food systems and their capacity to obtain the mechanisms of Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) within the scope of the Human Right to Adequate Food (DHAA) are emphasized. In this context, by carrying out a prospection at the local level, the main objective of this research is to analyze the social construction of food and nutritional (in)security in the rural area of the municipality of Japaratuba/SE. To achieve this and the secondary objectives, we opted for a qualitative quantitative research, as well as a cross-sectional population-based investigation. At first, a theoretical discussion was held based on the concepts of agrarian question, food systems, public policies and food and nutritional (in)security, which were based on the analysis of the territory category. Then, the methodological procedures were: documentary research, sample delimitation, fieldwork and data systematization. The primary data were collected through the application of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA), the food recall and the socioeconomic questionnaire. This process included 256 citizens, residents of the rural area of Japaratuba, who were invited to participate and signed the Informed Consent Form (ICF). The results of this research show that Japaratuba maintains a significant land concentration linked to the production of the commodity sugarcane, an economic activity that predominates in the territory to the detriment of food crops, especially beans and cassava, which denotes risks to the sovereignty and food security of the population. Through the application of the EBIA, a prevalence of 65.24% of FI (mild/moderate/severe) was found. The multivariate model indicated the statistical association of FI condition (moderate/severe) with the absence of children under 18 years of age, the greater number of residents in the household, and the unavailability of milk (powder/liquid). Although the presence of basic items of the diet was observed in a significant percentage of the households, the scenario also contrasted with the high availability of ultra-processed products.In addition, the cultivation of food in gardens and backyards and the raising of animals for consumption in the space surrounding the house are practices that contribute to ensuring the sovereignty and food security of the families residing in the locus studied. Based on the situation evidenced, it is considered essential to develop and improve actions at the municipal level, given the focus and promotion of the FNS condition among groups in social vulnerability.