Social Change

The largest grassroots social movement in Brasialian history--O Movemento Dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (the Movement of Rural Landless Workers, or the MST) marched in the streets of Brasilia on April 17, 1997. One of the many outcomes of the movement, which has its orgins in 1984, was agricultural restructuring. Indeed, the "settlements" just outside of the city of Campos are an example of this restructuring. Under the guidance of Professor Pedlowski, students at UENF are researching how the settlements are functioning. On one of the visits I accompanied Manuela Cordeiro where we met this farmer, who offered us both some coconut water. Here he uses his knife with great skill to cut away the top to expose an opening so we can drink the water. In almost every case, farmers were willing to share their crops with us. The settlements produce pineaple, coconuts, limes, sugar cane and other produce, and famers often have chickens, hogs, horses, dogs, cats and the like. Each settlement is 10 hectors (24 acres).