Circular justice e economia circular na produção de orgânicos: narrativas de produtores do bairro Peroba, Itajubá – MG

Abstract

Extractive agriculture impacts the environment, affecting agroecological systems and food security. Meanwhile, rural producers, especially family farmers, play an essential role in sustainability by preserving traditional crops and adopting responsible practices, such as organic production. This practice stands out in the Circular Economy (CE) for minimizing waste and optimizing resources. However, the CE can generate negative social impacts without a holistic approach. Its effective implementation requires the principles of Circular Justice, ensuring the equitable distribution of benefits in the production chain. This study investigates farmers in the Peroba neighborhood, in Itajubá (MG), whose organic production, in a short chain, exemplifies the CE applied to agriculture. The objective was to analyze CE practices and the principles of Circular Justice in organic food production in the Peroba neighborhood. The relevance of these farmers lies in their ability to adopt circular practices, even though they face challenges related to the equitable distribution of benefits and participation in decision-making processes. The research question that guided this study was: How do farmers in the Peroba neighborhood, who are part of a short organic food production chain, incorporate Circular Economy practices and perceive the principles of Circular Justice in their daily productive lives? To answer this question, narrative analysis was used as a methodology, based on the axes of temporality, sociality, and place. Data collection included semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Thirteen analytical labels were used to identify circularity practices in the neighborhood, which were reorganized into four narrative thematic blocks, according to the practices, difficulties, and common meanings emerging from the farmers' statements: (1) From exploitation to regeneration: practices that nourish life; (2) What comes in, what goes out: material choices in transition; (3) Caring for the environment: water, energy, and transportation; and (4) People who teach, learn, and resist. The results indicate that organic production in the Peroba neighborhood incorporates practices aligned with CE, such as the use of natural inputs, composting, crop rotation, and waste reuse, albeit spontaneously and without structured planning. Challenges were also identified, such as lack of infrastructure, absence of collective organization, regulatory failures, and dependence on uncertified seedlings. In relation to Circular Justice, an unequal distribution of economic benefits, absence of collective deliberation, and fragility in the institutional recognition of farmers' rights were observed. These limitations show that, although there are promising elements, Circular Justice is not yet consolidated in the community. The research concludes that organic production contributes to regional development by promoting environmental sustainability, food security, and social inclusion, but its strengthening depends on public policies that increase equity, cooperation, and technical support for producers. The dissertation is part of the graduate program in Development, Technologies, and Society at the Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI) and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDGs 2, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 16, by discussing sustainable agricultural practices, social justice, and institutional strengthening in rural communities.