Productive backyards, solidarity economy and sustainable development in the community of Novas Vidas, Ceará, Brazil

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the main characteristics indicative of advances in the solidarity economy via cooperation as an alternative for local sustainable development, namely: Novas Vidas community, located in Ocara, Ceará, Brazil. Indeed, economic difficulties in the context of capitalist society directly impact the strategies for strengthening cooperativism. It is possible to see the importance of the discussion of cooperativism in the perspective of strengthening local development and environmental sustainability. In this sense, for the production of this study, the methodological paths of qualitative research were followed, aiming to understand how farmers develop the Solidarity Economy through productive yards in the community with a view to sustainability. Regarding data collection techniques, on-site observation and non-directive interview were used. Regarding the analysis techniques, discourse analysis was applied. As a succinct conclusion, it became clear that the possibility of sustainable development depends on strategic actions or focal public policies.