PRODUCTION OF AGRARIAN SPACE AND FOOD INSECURITY IN THE LATIN AMERICAN SEMIARID REGION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOCIO-TERRITORIAL MOVEMENTS IN ARGENTINA, BRAZIL AND EL SALVADOR.

• Grant number: 21/01632-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Geography - Human Geography
• Principal Investigator: Bernardo Mançano Fernandes
• Grantee: Silmara Oliveira Moreira Bitencourt
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The action of socio-territorial movements is a topic that has strong relevance for the understanding of the production of agrarian space. Here we call attention to the debate on food insecurity, which is related to various conflicts present in the semi-arid region, especially in Latin America, such as access to land, water and other conditions for the production and appropriation of food. Our main objective is to analyze the production of agrarian space through the action of peasant socio-territorial movements in the 21st century, in the context of food insecurity in Latin American semi-arid regions: the territories of Figueroa (Argentina), Sertão do São Francisco (Brazil) and Usulután (El Salvador). These territories have several similar characteristics such as long dry periods, rainfall concentrated in a single season of the year, a history of poverty, social inequality, concentration of land and water ownership, and insufficient public policy design and implementation. Our hypothesis is that, faced with the history of territorialization of food insecurity, the peasants of the semi-arid region have built strategies in their territories and formed networks of multiscalar resistance to face the reality of conflicts, poverty and hunger. Methodologically, we will make a comparative analysis between the three territories, using qualitative methodological procedures: bibliographical research on the theme, semi-structured interviews with representatives of the State, peasants and leaders of socio-territorial movements, as well as documentary research, participant observation and photographic record; and quantitative procedures: consultation of statistical information in databases. These strategies allow them to practice living with the semi-arid region with a view to a political, social and ideological project of food sovereignty.