Vulnerabilities and perspectives of family agriculture in front of the pandemic of COVID-19

Experiences in the mountain environments of Rio de Janeiro state

Abstract

In the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, populations in unfavorable social conditions are more fragile. Agroecology, responsible consumption, and fair trade are strategies to reduce this vulnerability. Experiences in the mountainous region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, related to rural areas to mitigate the consequences of the environmental tragedy that occurred in 2011, as well as the productive scenario and market of organic agriculture, can be references for reversing the effects of the pandemic. It is used interviews, bibliographic review, document analysis and knowledge of the local agricultural reality. It is concluded that the construction of sustainable societies requires agriculture with diversified production systems, with public policies aimed at strengthening social organizations, which recognize the importance of gender issues, contribute to collective processes of building adequate knowledge and favor fair market strategies that bring together farmers and consumers.