Semear inovações: agroecologia no semiárido sergipano em tempos de Antropoceno

Abstract

We live in the Anthropocene, a new geological epoch marked by human influence on the planet's natural systems (Crutzen, 2002; Folke et al., 2021). This context imposes global challenges to sustainability, requiring profound transformations in the relationships between society and nature. In the face of these challenges, innovation must be understood in an expanded way, contributing to the construction of a more just and sustainable society. In this context, agroecology stands out as an alternative proposal that articulates traditional and scientific knowledge, especially in the Global South, promoting agricultural practices integrated into local realities. Its systemic approach encompasses ecological, economic, and social aspects, offering adaptable solutions at different scales. However, its implementation still faces structural obstacles, such as a lack of technical support and high initial costs. In the semiarid region, where agriculture is central to the economy but also a source of environmental degradation, agroecology emerges as a possibility for transformation adapted to the specificities of the territory. Thus, the objective of this research is to understand innovations in agroecology for addressing challenges in the semi-arid region of Sergipe. The theoretical framework is based on the concepts of the Anthropocene, innovation, and agroecology, incorporating the debate on planetary boundaries, the challenges of sustainable development, and the possibilities of transition to more just and resilient agrifood systems. The research adopted a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach, using a single case study methodology. The presentation of the results mapped the challenges present in the semi-arid region of Sergipe, identified agroecological innovations, and understood the forms of application of the ecological, economic, and social dimensions of agroecology. The discussion of the results reveals that innovation, in this context, is a process of 're-existence' that integrates social technologies for coexistence with the semi-arid region and the strengthening of female protagonism. The findings demonstrate that the agroecological transition acts as a system of socio-ecological resilience, where water management, agrobiodiversity conservation, and productive autonomy are inseparable from collective organization and the enhancement of cultural identity. Finally, it is perceived that agroecology subverts the logic of scarcity, transforming climate vulnerability into adaptive capacity and promoting sustainability in times of planetary uncertainties. Theoretically, the research advances by connecting the debate on planetary boundaries to family farming practices in the Global South, while, in practice, it validates the effectiveness of social technologies and highlights the central role of women's associations in territorial governance.