Ação coletiva de agroextrativistas em circuitos curtos de comercialização de produtos do cerrado: estudo de caso em Pirenópolis – GO

This dissertation paper has the objective of understanding collective action, related with how wild collectors (agroextractivists) organize themselves to insert products from Cerrado biodiversity into short marketing circuits. In order to achieve this, a review of current literature was carried out, involving topics such as short marketing circuits, reciprocity structures and solidary economy, relating them with collective action and the main forms of social organization. A general characterization of the Cerrado biome was presented, with special emphasis on the importance of agroextractivism and its main challenges and opportunities to gain entry into these markets. Field work took place in the municipality of Pirenópolis, in the state of Goiás, mainly in the villages of Bom Jesus, Placa and Caxambu. Semi-structured interviews were carried out and in addition to direct observation with agroextractivists, social networks and organizations, businesses and other key stakeholders in the process. The research identified four agroextractivists in Bom Jesus, three in Placa and an association in Caxambu, as well as three family businesses, two of which are extractivists and the other buys fruit from agroextractivists from the region. As a result of this field assessment, findings indicated that, approximately 20 years ago, there were collective organizations in the region However, as time went by, they became fragile due to problems related with collective work. Cases of asymmetric binary reciprocity were found in families from Placa and Bom Jesus, and symmetric reciprocity (face to face) in direct sales and sales for events. The main marketing channels are direct and indirect sales with one middleman, at most. In Pirenópolis, indirect sales in establishments are predominant, mainly in stores, restaurants and inns. The conclusion is that collective activities are scarce, since they are practically absent from initiatives by collective organizations in the region. However, the existence of short marketing circuits is visible, in which access is facilitated for agroextractivists, in addition to making their approximation to end consumers possible. The study confirmed the importance of studying collective activities in collective organizations, considering the lack of studies about this topic. The study is also expected to assist new projects and future programs in fostering collective organization in the region.