From production and consumption to collaboration networks: the relations of the Incubation Center for Popular Solidarity Enterprises (CIEPS/UFU) in promoting agroecological practices

Abstract

This work sought to build a representative model of the relations of CIEPS as an agent of social transformation and local development, in order to contribute to agroecological production and consumption practices in Uberlândia,Minas Gerais, Brazil. The development aspect, understood as a process of social transformation, was applied to solidarity production chains and alternative forms of production, highlighting the importance of transformation agents and solidarity collaboration networks in this process. The data allowed us to understand questions about the commercialization and consumption of foods and agroecological commodities, which complemented the results and corroborated analyses by the critical tone of the theoretical framework. As a result, it was observed that it is essential that articulations of agents and solidary collaboration networks act in short circuits of commercialization so that the relations between producers and consumers can be expanded. Seen as non-oppositional elements in the sense of confrontation, but acting within the dominant capitalist system, solidary production chains and alternative forms of production are materialized by their own logics, prioritizing sustainable relations of production and consumption, but not preventing mercantile and exchange relations. Finally, it is essential to encourage solidarity work and self-management in order to achieve transformation and development in forms of production and practice.