XIII National Conference of researchers in regional economies

Participatory systems as devices for differentiation and valorization

Abstract

In recent years, agroecology, as an alternative form of production of fresh fruits and vegetables, has been part of discourses, practices and guidelines from various fields: academics, state policies and producer organizations. The meanings attributed to this mode of production are often associated with practices of sustainability and food sovereignty. In this article we propose to investigate the configuration of a differentiation device for these products, called the "participatory guarantee system". In particular, we want to analyze visions about how to produce, what, and for whom are involved in creating ways to regulate production. From an ethnographic perspective, we analyze the way in which producer organizations, state agencies and national universities find themselves in the production of a distinction by segmenting food by mobilizing attributes of these crystallized products in agro-ecological production.