Policies of territorial development and the multi-functionality of family farming in Brazil.

Abstract

Attempting to analyze the ways that public actions geared toward the rural enviroment have made reference to the notion of agricultural multifunctionality and the territorial perspective on development, in this article we analyze the variety of public policies that are part of the Multiple Year Plan 2004-2007. Within a context that is marked simultaneously by the globalization of the economy and strengthening of democratic processes, we give emphasis to public managers’ concern for inducing a process of social and territorial re-balancing through the implantation of two different logics: sectoral policies that favor family farming and policies seeking to dynamize land-based economic activities. We note that these policies make implicit reference to the multi-functional character of family farming and explicit reference to the territorial perspective. In conclusion, we point to the essentially fragmented and differentiated nature of policies of rural development and the need to integrate them through clearer references to both notions. Keywords: Sustainable territorial development, public policies, family farming, multiple year plans.