In the fourth paper of this special issue, Camacho et al. present
an analysis of the Brazilian agricultural production system, which
is based on two markedly different production models, particularly
in relation to sustainability: a peasant family agriculture, which
plays an important role in food production for domestic
consumption and advocates agro-ecological practises; and agribusiness,
the politically and economically hegemonic model that
produces commodities for export based on monoculture and
intensive use of pesticides. The authors argue that in order to
create the means to develop peasant lands, social movements and
peasants have engaged themselves politically and defended an
education model grounded in sustainable practises of production
and social organisation. Based on this background, the main
purpose of Camacho’s work is to analyse and assess the Brazilian
experience of integration between education and sustainability, in
the National Education Programme in Agrarian Reform (PRONERA).
To accomplish this aim, a survey with a semi-structured
questionnaire was carried out among teachers, students, monitors,
and coordinators of the course offered by PRONERA. The surveys
showed that the courses are promoting the concepts of sustainability
among peasants. However, authors argue that many
adjustments need to be taken into consideration during the
PRONERA’s courses planning process.