SUSTAINABILITY AND PRODUCTION ON THE COUNTRYSIDE: THE CASE OF THE LATIN-AMERICAN INSTITUTES OF AGROECOLOGY (LAIGS) AND THEIR RELATION TO THE LEGAL ORDER

Abstract

 This article aims to evince the relations that are present in the practices of the Latin-American Institutes of Agroecology - the LAIGs - the concept of sustainability and its consonance with the Brazilian legal order. The empirical start point is related to the studies and researches realized on those institutes, that comprehend the Paraguayan reality, the one from the North of Brazil as well as the experience in Paraná. Although the initial data was collected on the field, this text derives from the systematization of the already published research, that is, the bibliographical review. The new step added was to demonstrate that the LAIGs are thoroughly harmonized not only with the International Pact of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, but also with the Brazilian legal order. To comprehend the relations established, it was necessary to de-pone on theoretical categories such as sustainability, agroecology, agriculture, as well as in the most precise evidences of the social movements that involve the empiry, like the Rural’s Way. There are two main conclusions: it can be stated that there are contributions arising from the realities researched that will extend the concept of sustainability. Also, the healthy foods demanded by the national legislation are seek on those LAIGs, either by the researches made or by the enrichment of the rural’s method of sustainability practices.