Associativism as strategy of reaching territorial rights, programs, projects and public policies of rural development: The case of the São Francisco do Mainã community, Manaus, AM

Abstract

Associativism has been an important tool for Amazonian communities to guarantee territorial rights, to recognize traditionality and to access public policies. This article is the result of a case study, with qualitative bias, with interview techniques and dialogues with leaders. It shows how the transition from a socio-cultural association to a socio-economic and political one added to the São Francisco do Mainã community to retake their territorial rights usurped by the Brazilian State in the 1970s, for the installation of the Center of Instruction of War in the Forest (CIGS), administered by the Brazilian Army. The association, with socio-economic and political purposes, influenced public and private institutions in order to access programs, projects and public policies of rural development. The results of this process are the recognition of the traditionality of the community, which has lived in the area for over 100 years with the possibility of managing production actions and living with the Army in their areas, and having access to governmental programs such as Luz para Todos and agricultural production incentive ones, in addition to reinforcement of community spirit and mutual commitment between farmers.