URBAN AGRICULTURE IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH: INSIGHTS FROM EXPERIENCES IN A CAPITAL CITY OF NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Abstract

Urban Agriculture (UA) is an initiative that promotes social, environmental, and economic sustainability in urban centers. The objective of this study was to analyze experiences of urban agriculture in the city of Natal, capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN). The experiences analyzed are developing in the neighborhoods of Gramoré (northern area) and Pitimbu (southern area). The methodology consisted of conducting semi-structured interviews with representatives from each initiative. Each representative was nominated by the groups surveyed. To complement the interviews, documentary research was conducted to understand the history of each initiative. It was possible to understand the trajectory, objectives and methods of action of each experience. While in Pitimbu UA is based on an activist movement, in Gramore the practices are sustained on the basis of people’s food and economic survival. The first experience is smaller in scale and more politic articulated, while the second is lagger in scale and less involved in the city’s context social and environment politic. Although many challenges are similar in both experiences (access to land and water), understand the particularities and demands of each movement become important to think effective public policies to incentive the UA.