Cotton in Agroecological Consortia

The aim of this paper is to describe the experience of cotton production in agro-ecological consortia by family farmers in the community of Irapuá in the municipality of Nova Russas (2009 to 2011), in the state of Ceará. Conventional agriculture adopts a model that does not provide sustainable development, favoring environmental degradation and the social exclusion of the less fortunate and the concentration of land. Faced with this unsustainability for life, social movements and researchers began studies in search of techniques that wouldn’t degrade the environment and would combine popular knowledge with scientific knowledge to help regenerate ecosystems. From then on, the construction of agroecological science emerged, which goes beyond food production, where sustainable agriculture can be carried out that guarantees the preservation of soil, water resources, wildlife and natural ecosystems, while at the same time ensuring food security.