Processo de regularização da produção orgânica pelos agricultores familiares: um estudo de caso sobre o OCS – Santana do Livramento, RS

Certification is the way of controlling the origin of organic products and differentiating conventional agriculture. There are operational difficulties in the process of regularization of organic production by these farmers. Thus, this study verified the main obstacles faced by members of the Organismo de Controle Social (OSC) Agroecologia, Terra, Pampa e Fronteira of Santana do Livramento Family Farmers. In addition to a broad review of the literature and regulations governing organic and agroecological production, a case study was undertaken with the seven families that currently make up this organization. Organic certification legislation provides for a descriptive (written) record of the entire production process and mandatory certification forms are a real obstacle for most organic producers. The objective of the present study was to study the main operational difficulties of family farmers registered in the National Register of Organic Producers. Through visits and interviews, it was possible to understand the main problems faced in the recording of productive activities, to verify the alternatives found by the farmers to comply with the norms related to the field book and management plan and to analyze the contradictory aspects of the organic certification process for the farmers. The results pointed to a necessary adjustment of the rules to the reality in which these families operate. Otherwise, organic legislation, especially in the case of OCS, may represent a barrier to access, or even a factor in the withdrawal of farmers from the process of regulating their organic production. Keywords : Family agriculture. Organic. Legislation. Farmers.