Formation, Structuring, and Access to Markets and Public Policies: The Case of Family Farming Organizations in Paula Cândido-MG, Brazil

This study analyzes the process of formation, structuring, and consolidation of family farming organizations in the municipality of Paula Cândido-MG, with a focus on access to markets and public policies. The research is based on observations and participation in coordination meetings held between 2021 and 2023, during which these organizations underwent a process of formalization and strengthening, enabling them to access public policies at the municipal level. The process of social mobilization, which initially involved the informal convening of farmers for preliminary discussions, evolved into the formation of a dense and well-structured organizational framework. This development allowed the organizations to access benefits such as material resources, subsidies, and, above all, entry into structured markets, such as the Family Farming Market. Formalization also brought a significant increase in farmers’ bargaining power, especially regarding the purchase of inputs and other products, improving their commercial conditions. This process was not immediate; it was gradual and consolidated through continuous monitoring. From the initial meetings, where ideas were discussed, and documentation shared, the organization gradually took shape and expanded its capacity to integrate into market networks and public policies. During this period, rural associativism proved to be a key factor in the increased services provided to farmers and in the commercialization regularization of agricultural products in the municipality, as observed by Bahiense and Galante (2022). Thus, the trajectory of family farming organizations in Paula Cândido-MG reveals not only the challenges and opportunities for rural development but also the crucial role of organizational dynamics in accessing resources and public policies. This analysis provides a significant contribution to understanding the relationships between organization, market, and the State in the context of Brazilian family farming.