Rural productive inclusion and sustainable (agri-)food systems: the geography of transitions

Authors

  • Iván Gerardo Peyré Tartaruga PhD in Geography, Researcher and Professor, Centro de Estudos de Geografia e Ordenamento do Território (Cegot), Faculdade de Letras, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8484-5278
  • Paulo Cesar Oliveira Diniz PhD in Sociology, Associate Professor, Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Semiárido, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Sumé, PB, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9074-2483
  • Mireya Eugenia Valencia Perafán PhD in Social Sciences, Associate Professor, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0236-9154
  • Mário Lucio de Avila PhD in Sustainable Development, Researcher, Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4631-5932

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v16n1.2025.55626

Keywords:

Productive inclusion, Sociotechnical transitions, Food regimes, Food systems, Agroecology

Abstract

The transition to sustainable food systems can provide opportunities for the productive inclusion of people in situations of exclusion, especially in rural areas, and contribute to reducing the effects of the climate crisis. This study aims to understand productive and sustainable inclusion cases in rural areas and verify the role of public policies. The experiences studied in two regions of the Brazilian Northeast characterise innovation niches, highlighting the generation of new technical and social solutions that trigger a transition to sustainable and inclusive food systems. Using a quali-quantitative methodology, we analysed the cases’ socio-technical configurations (STCA) within the scope of transition studies and network analysis. The results show the importance of family farmers’ cognitive and organisational capacities. In conclusion, policies supporting these emerging niches must be strengthened according to the territorial context. Finally, mitigating the adverse effects of external environmental technologies, such as wind energy, on rural communities is essential.

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Author Biographies

Iván Gerardo Peyré Tartaruga, PhD in Geography, Researcher and Professor, Centro de Estudos de Geografia e Ordenamento do Território (Cegot), Faculdade de Letras, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal

Iván Gerardo Peyré Tartaruga is currently Contracted Researcher at the Centre of Studies in Geography and Spatial Planning (CEGOT) - Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Porto (FLUP) - Portugal. He is also a professor in the Department of Geography at FLUP. He is a Doctor in Geography (2014) from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) - Brazil, and, linked to this doctorate, a visiting researcher at the University of Seville (2012) - Spain. He has a Master's (2003) and Bachelor's (1999) in Geography from UFRGS. Iván has published various articles, book chapters, edited books and scientific reports. He has experience in economic geography and innovation studies, working predominantly in the spatial analysis of social and economic processes, territorial development (in rural and urban areas) and innovation processes. He is an associate of the Regional Studies Association (RSA), Associação Portuguesa de Geógrafos (APG) [Portuguese Association of Geographers], and Sociedade Portuguesa de Estudos Rurais (SPER) [Portuguese Society for Rural Studies]. He has collaborated actively in research networks: Rede Brasileira de Pesquisa e Gestão em Desenvolvimento Territorial [Brazilian Network of Research and Management in Territorial Development] (Rete), mainly centred on rural territories, and Science and Technology National Institute Observatório das Metrópoles - Núcleo Porto Alegre (Brazil), focused on urban and metropolitan spaces.

Paulo Cesar Oliveira Diniz, PhD in Sociology, Associate Professor, Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Semiárido, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Sumé, PB, Brazil

Associate professor of the social sciences course and the professional master's degree in network sociology at the Federal University of Campina Grande in the area of ​​sociology. He develops research focused on “Development, nature and society in the Brazilian semi-arid region”.

Mireya Eugenia Valencia Perafán, PhD in Social Sciences, Associate Professor, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil

Researcher of the Itinerant Chair on Rural Productive Inclusion of the Cebrap Sustainability Center. President of the Rural Studies Network in the period 01.2024 -12.2025; She is a member of the research group Center for Management and Innovation of Family Farming (CEGAFI/UnB) and the Network Public Policies and Rural Development in Latin America. The main works are in the fields of rural development and public policies, developing studies and research on topics such as: territorial dynamics, public policies for family farming, food systems, food and nutritional security and rural development.

Mário Lucio de Avila, PhD in Sustainable Development, Researcher, Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

Avila has published several articles, book chapters, edited books and scientific reports. He has experience in the areas of public policy, agroecology and rural development, working particularly on the following topics: territorial development, innovation, monitoring and evaluation.

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Published

2025-04-30

How to Cite

Tartaruga, I. G. P., Diniz, P. C. O., Perafán, M. E. V., & Avila, M. L. de. (2025). Rural productive inclusion and sustainable (agri-)food systems: the geography of transitions. Sustainability in Debate, 16(1), 113–155. https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v16n1.2025.55626

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025): Sustainability in Debate

Section

Articles - Varia

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