Productive groups of women farmers who process food in agrarian reform settlements: a systematic literature review

Abstract

The participation of settled women in agrarian reform extends beyond domestic work, encompassing productive organization and the pursuit of economic autonomy. This study investigates productive organizations of settled women in Brazil's agrarian reform settlements that are dedicated to food processing for commercialization. The methodology employed is a systematic literature review, classified as a metasynthesis, based on the analysis of 23 carefully selected national studies, which were categorized into five interconnected thematic areas: gender relations, social and productive organization, public policies for rural development, solidarity economy, and agroecology. The results indicate that collective food processing activities have significant social and economic transformation potential for settled women. These transformations are driven by collective organization, access to public policies, agroecological practices, and solidarity economy initiatives, despite persistent gender inequalities. The study concludes that, despite ongoing challenges, productive groups contribute to improving living conditions in agrarian reform settlements, strengthening food security and supporting families’ permanence in rural areas. Expanded access to integrated public policies is crucial to ensuring the sustainability and further development of these initiatives within the Brazilian agrarian reform context.