- Rama, a network of approximately 70 women farmers in Barra do Turvo, Brazil, leverages solidarity economics and agroecology to distribute local produce.
- The network operates outside standard market fluctuations, maintaining stable, fair prices for both producers and urban consumer groups known as Esparrama.
- Core goals include fostering women's economic autonomy, defending territorial rights, and fighting violence and racism.
Economic Model and Solidarity
- Prices are set annually during producer and consumer assemblies, shielding the network from global market volatility.
- Farmers maintain autonomy by limiting reliance on commercial inputs, instead sharing seeds, seedlings, and traditional knowledge through reciprocal relationships.
- A guiding principle of the network is prioritizing household and family food security before commercializing any surplus.
Social Context and Origins
- Established in 2015 and officially named Rama in 2019, the group receives technical support from the Sempreviva Feminist Organization (SOF).
- The members include women from Quilombola communities and traditional families who have historically faced struggles over land titles and encroachment by large-scale monoculture or livestock interests.
- The network revitalized the "mutirão" (communal work tradition), creating a safe space for women to support one another, including financial assistance for health expenses and medical care.
Production and Diversity
- Gardens managed by these women exhibit significantly higher biodiversity and management complexity compared to traditional male-dominated monoculture plots.
- The network provides a reliable supply of hundreds of crop varieties and artisanal goods, which are coordinated via monthly harvest reporting to ensure supply consistency.
- Collective funds are often utilized to cover community needs, such as transportation to mutual aid sessions or emergency health costs, highlighting a deep commitment to collective care.