Caracterizaci?3n socioecol?3gica de unidades familiares agroecol?3gicas, con ??nfasis en la producci?3n de leche

摘要

The aim of this paper was to characterize agroecological family units in the West of Santa Catarina/Brazil, with emphasis on milk production. Was using ethnographic tools and was do an integrative methodological approach with application of cross descriptive investigation methods using mixed tools, in six family units. The main characteristics of units were described using seven cate-gories of analysis, proposals to represent the purposes of agroecological process, named: food and nutrition security, productive and energetic efficiency, social reproduction of the family, autonomy against markets, ecological management and use of locally appropriate technologies, autonomy and equity in the decision making and in the work management, and satisfaction. Aspects related to productive and energetic efficiency of the production systems, autonomy against markets and social reproduction of the family were identified as limiting of the agroecological process in the units of analysis. The study generated reflections with the families and highlighted relevant factors for decision making toward greater sustainability and for future studies to understanding the agroecological process.