Drivers for agroecological transition : An analysis of 40 years of experience in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Context: Efforts are being made globally to promote transformations from conventional to agroecological agricultural systems. In many places, such efforts have been made in dialogue with peasant communities, involving a range of social actors with converging actions. Understanding the drivers of such transformations can elucidate key elements capable of promoting changes in the agrifood system. The objective: Was to identify and comprehend the drivers of agroecological transition and their capacity to transform the agricultural system, based on the analysis of the experience in the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, Brazil, where such a process has been built since the early 1980's, involving different institutions and scales of transformation. Methods: We analyzed and integrated the results of four PhD theses, carried out semi-structured interviews with different social actors regarding the transition in its social, environmental, and institutional aspects, and engaged in participant observation. Results and conclusions: 29 drivers were identified that promote agroecology by creating conditions and motivating peasants to switch from conventional to agroecological agriculture. These drivers act synergistically in the ecological, social, cultural, political, and economic dimensions. One crucial synergy is the combination of political support with bottom-up movements. The analysis of the drivers contributes to broadening the agroecological transition process. Significance: The research is innovative by demonstrating that the analysis of drivers for agroecological transitions must be based on concrete experiences in the territories, the dimensions involved, the classification of the driver, the internal and external conditions of the peasant units that interfere in the transition process, and the impacts of the agroecological transition process for peasant families. Specifically, the articulation among cosmovision and identity, collective knowledge building, organizations at regional and national levels, political engagement, and nature-based technical solutions led countless families to promote and practice agroecology.