MST's Proposal for a "People's Agrarian Reform"

July 8, 2009

THE NECESSITY FOR AGRARIAN REFORM:   A PEOPLE’S PROJECT FOR BRAZILIAN AGRICULTURE

I - OBJECTIVES

This proposal is part of land reform as part of the Brazilian working class aspirations to build a new society: egalitarian, compassionate, humane and ecologically sustainable. Thus, the proposed measures are part of a broad process of change in society, and fundamentally changing the current organizational structure of production and the relationship of humans and nature. The goal is to do this in ways that the whole process of organization and production development in the countryside results in the elimination of exploitation, domination of politics and ideological alienation and destruction of nature. We seek to enhance and guarantee work for all persons as a condition for human emancipation and the construction of dignity and equality between people and the restoration of harmonious relations between human beings and nature.

Land reform has these broad objectives:

a)  To eliminate poverty in rural areas;

b)  To combat social inequality and degradation of nature that has its roots in the structure of ownership and production in the field;

c)  To ensure work for all people, matching income distribution;

d)  To ensure food sovereignty of the whole population, producing quality foods, developing local markets;

e)  To ensure equal participation of women living in rural areas in all activities, particularly regarding access to land, production, and management of all activities, seeking to overcome the historical oppression imposed on women, especially in rural areas;.

f)  To maintain the biodiversity of plant, animal and culture that exist in all regions of Brazil that make up our ecosystem; and

g)  To ensure conditions for the improvement of life for all people and all access to job opportunities, income, education and recreation, stimulating stay in rural areas, especially the youth. 

II - CHANGES NEEDED

1.  EARTH

The land and property of nature is above all a heritage of the peoples that inhabit each area, and must serve the development of humanity. Democratize access to land, to the goods of nature and to the means of production in agriculture to all who want it to live and work. The ownership, possession and use of land and goods of nature must be subordinated to the general interests of the Brazilian people, to meet the needs of the entire population.

Key measures

1.1.  Establish a maximum size of the farm, for each farmer, established according to each region. (For example, set in 35 fiscal modules, which represent on average around 1,000 hectares per family, plus all the buildings) and expropriate all farms above this module, regardless of level of production and productivity.

1.2.  Ensure access to land for every family that wants to live and work there.

1.3.  Expropriate all farms of foreign companies, banks, industries, construction companies and churches, which do not depend on agriculture for their activities.

1.4.  Expropriate ALL large estates that do not comply with the social function. That is, they are either  below the average productivity of the region, not respecting the environment, have problems of compliance with labor laws with their employees or are involved in smuggling, drug trafficking, slave labor. The amount paid should be equal to that declared for taxes, discounted by all taxes owed, with loans of public banks, and with environmental and social damage .

Complementary measures

1.5. Demarcation of all Indian lands, the remnants of Quilomboas [Ed. Territories established by runaway slaves] and the common lands of small woods, pastures and ranges according to the tradition of each region.

1.6 Prioritize the use in land reform of agricultural land with good fertility, near the cities, making it possible to supply more cheaply the economic and social infrastructure.

1.7 Give the final possession of the land to all peasants who now live in squatter instability, with certificate of title for use and inheritance rights.

1.8 The natural resources and timber are the patrimony of the whole society and therefore should be administered by the state, in a way that benefits the whole Brazilian people. It may not be the object of exploitation for profit. The exportation of wood and the practice of bio-piracy in the Amazon would be prohibited.

1.9 There will be no land leases and collecting rent.

1.10. No beneficiary of agrarian reform programs of colonization or regularization of tenure, may sell the land. Land titles should be used to grant, inheritance rights, provided that the heirs reside on the lot.

1.11. Perform a survey of all state and federal public lands. Recover to the agrarian reform all lands that were illegally occupied.

1.12. The properties that are below the maximum size, but they are not used in accordance with social function, would be subject to  progressive taxation from tax as a way of contributing to society.

2. THE ORGANIZATION OF PRODUCTION IN RURAL AREAS

Key measures

2.1. Agricultural production will be directed with priority to produce healthy food for all the Brazilian people, thus ensuring the principle of food sovereignty.

2.2. Production will be organized based on the development of all forms of agricultural cooperation, such as task forces, traditional forms of community organizations, associations, cooperatives, public companies, companies providing services, etc.

2.3. Agribusinesses should be arranged near the location of agricultural production in the form of cooperatives under the control of farmers and workers in agribusiness. Technical training programs should be conducted for workers in management of agro-industrial cooperatives.

2.4. Promote diversified agriculture, breaking the monoculture, seeking to promote sustainable agriculture based on agro-ecological principles, without pesticides and GMOs, creating a healthy diet. This new production model also manages a new base and new forms of food consumption, balanced and appropriate to local ecosystems and culturally appropriate.

Complementary measures

2.5. The employees of agricultural enterprises and agribusinesses should organize themselves into cooperatives, associations, councils, committees, movements, etc ... according to their experience, tradition and local realities. So that through grassroots organization they are involved in management, receive for their production and their social rights are guaranteed.

2.6. Foreign companies will not be permitted a role in the control production and trade in food and seeds.

2.7. The development of biotechnology products will be organized, aiming for the productivity of labor, to respect the environment, the health of farmers and consumers. The use of transgenic seeds, transgenic trees and seed sterilization techniques such as "terminator" will be prevented.

2.8. Encourage the permanent farmer’s markets of agro-ecological products (organic) in all municipalities in the country. And the state must prioritize the purchase of products of settlements and peasant communities, for hospitals, day care centers, barracks and other public or social assistance institutions, as well as popular programs for the food supply.

3. WATER: AN ASSET OF NATURE FOR ALL

Measures

3.1. All ownership and possession of water is subject to social interests. There can be no private ownership of water, either for human consumption or for agriculture.  All the water reservoirs of the existing dams will be considered part of the public domain.

3.2. Every supply of drinking water in rural communities and cities should be a duty of the state, and therefore held by public companies.

3.3. The state must guarantee small farmers suitable resources, for the adequate use of water, for the reforestation of the banks of streams and rivers.

3.4. Vigilant oversight for the protection of water and punishment with imprisonment of all persons and companies that cause pollution in waters and groundwater.

4 - SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF WATER AND IRRIGATION

Modern agriculture and agricultural production in different regions of our country is facing increasing problems related to the unsettled weather and rain. This instability affects the productivity, prevents the production and principally affects the incomes of small farmers. Thus, it is necessary to combine the democratization of land, the reorganization of agricultural production, with the necessary means to ensure access and sustainable management of water, so as to guide its conservation and use in the human supply and agricultural production to all farmers and settlers.

Measures

4.1. Implementing a comprehensive program of sustainable management of water, which facilitates natural conservation and the implementation of infrastructure resources and sustainable use, namely, systems for collecting, storing and distributing rainwater – cisterns, underground dams, dams , reservoirs, and water recycling in the domestic environment - with sanitation collection and treatment of water and human waste, animals, water distribution systems in livestock operations and agricultural irrigation, with specific lines of credit, with subsidy of investment in infrastructure for collecting, treating and storing water, and equipment distribution and combined with technical and environmental training to all farmers.

4.2. Ensure to all settlement families and small farmers conditions for investment in a collective, both in the water catchment, and the distribution of it, especially in irrigation projects for food production. At all time, we take care that projects do not harm the environment and properly use water resources.

4.3. Ensuring an irrigation program with appropriate prices for energy and encouragement to use alternative energy sources.

5. THE STATE MUST DEVELOP AN AGRICULTURAL POLICY FACING THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE

Measures

5.1. The state must use all instruments of agricultural policy as a guarantee of prices, credit, to encourage the transition and consolidation of agro-ecological production, insurance, service, storage, etc., primarily for the fulfillment of land reform programs.

5.2. The state must guarantee the purchase of all food products of the peasant sector and land reform.

5.3. The state will guarantee funding for rural communities to develop collective programs of energy autonomy, through bio-diesel plants and through alternative sources such as solar, water, wind etc.

5.4. The state shall guarantee conditions for all farmers to have access to necessary means of production, such as machinery, equipment, supplies, agribusiness, etc.) and, if necessary, install factories of state enterprises.

5.5. A special credit program for land reform

a) Create a special program for rural credit to families settled through land reform and to the farmers/the poor, through a network of public banks that are accessible and less bureaucratic.

b) Allocate sufficient resources and giving priority to productive investments, to reorganize production units. Also, resources for the implementation of agro-industries, irrigation systems and encouraging other industries combined in rural areas.

c) Develop a participatory methodology in the public financial system for small farmers in more non-bureaucratic form as possible, but encouraging cooperative forms and fighting opportunism and misappropriation. The use of credit resources can be combined with guaranteed advance purchase of production.

6. INDUSTRIALIZATION OF THE INTERIOR OF A COUNTRY

Measures

The land reform program should be an instrument for bringing industrialization to the country, promoting a more harmonious development between regions, creating more jobs within, and creating opportunities for youth. The development process should eliminate the differences between city life and country life. This process should give priority to employment generation in the interior, especially for youth and women.

6.1 Install agribusinesses in interior municipalities seeking to take advantage of all agricultural products to generate more jobs, increase incomes and create alternatives to the growth of wealth in all areas of the interior, thus countering migration and rural exodus. Where there is no organizational capacity of rural families, the state should take initiative and partner with labor organizations.

6.2 The industrial production will be marketed primarily in the respective regions, decentralizing consumption, and combining with the government purchases for public needs such as school lunches, barracks, and prisons.

6.3 The industries linked to agriculture, that produce raw materials or machinery must be decentralized and placed in the interior.

6.4 The agro-industrial plants and processes and production technologies should be guided by environmentally sustainable standards and norms.

7. A NEW TECHNOLOGY MODEL

The reorganization of Brazilian agricultural production must be accompanied by a new system of planning and technology-oriented model for an ecological and participatory approach, adequate agrarian reform, peasant production units, which seeks to increase the productivity of land and labor productivity in equilibrium with the environment, preserving natural conditions and ensuring healthy food production.

Measures

7.1. Develop research and agro-ecological technologies appropriate for the agricultural ecosystems, promoting sustainable cultural, social, economic and environmental effects and increase the productivity of labor and land.

7.2. Develop massive training programs in agro-ecology for the peasants and peasant youth in all regions of the country. Organize field trials and experience sharing between agro-ecological farmers in all regions of the country. Support the consolidation of technical colleges for training in sustainable agriculture, as well as creating new high schools and universities, and access to other levels of expertise in this area of knowledge, enabling technical advice, research and teaching. Encourage the production, distribution and control of seeds and plant genetic diversity and feed by the farmers themselves.

7.3. Agricultural research, advisory services and technical education field should be public, free, guaranteed by the state to all farmers, and should be directed to the priorities of land reform, food sovereignty and to implement these new models agro ecology. Public universities must adapt their research to integrate with the needs of farmers.

7.4. Develop a massive program of training of agricultural technicians, agronomists, foresters, veterinarians and other related courses for young farmers throughout the country through public universities, with a focus on agro-ecology.

7.5. Develop a program of promotion, dissemination, and mass multiplication of agro-ecology, implementing:

a) Participatory research: generation of appropriate technologies with the different local and regional realities, with the role of peasants;

b) formation of farmer to peasant: to encourage and create conditions for exchange and mass exchange of experiences, recognizing and valuing the experiences;

c) a program of popular agro-biodiversity: creating funding programs, training, technical assistance and infrastructure that would enable the agro-ecological management of agro-biodiversity by promoting seed banks and seedling plants and animal breeding, rescue, multiply, exchange and improvement . The launch of new plant varieties and improved breeds of animals adapted to local agro-ecosystems;

d) Forestry Programs: create systems of incentives for the preservation and expansion of the coverage areas of native forest with plantations and sustainable management. (And the remuneration of environmental services provided by rural families to society)

Complementary measures

7.6. The production of agricultural machinery and equipment must be suitable for agriculture (family) peasant, from the reality of agricultural production and regional development.

7.7 . There will be no private intellectual property and patents, varieties, seeds, livestock, natural resources or production systems.

7.8. No foreign company may operate with our heritage of biodiversity and seeds.

7.9. Develop a national program in support of reforestation with native trees and fruit trees, in the settlements, agriculture and peasant areas degraded by agribusiness.

7.10. Strictly implement new environmental protection legislation.

8. EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Access to education, both in the broadest sense of schooling as a cultural good and value, is a necessary condition for agrarian reform and the democratization of our society.
The education that we want to go beyond school and is linked to a new project of economic, social and ecological, to the field that has as its subject the very people who live in organized rural communities.

Measures

8.1. Education is a fundamental right of all people. The universal access to school education, at all levels and with social quality, should be ensured by public schools and free. It is the duty of the State to ensure this right to all persons living in the settlements and the countryside.

8.2. Ensuring access to public education (kindergarten, primary education, secondary education and adult and youth) by building schools in rural communities and farming villages of the settlements as a way to keep the peasants and the women in the middle where they live.

8.3. Conduct a national literacy campaign in one year for all youth and adults in the areas of agrarian reform and rural communities.

8.4. Perform a special program to guarantee access of young people and adults in the areas of agrarian reform to vocational education in high school and higher education, tailoring courses and ways to access their stay in the countryside.

8.5. Ensure the training of educators to work in the public schools of the agrarian reform areas through specific policies and massive training and continuing education of high school and university partnerships with public universities.

8.6. All schools in the settlements and rural communities should have the basic infrastructure of quality that includes: library, video library, laboratories, cultural projects around the literature, music, art, theater, craft and space for community activities. And have a practice area for agro-ecological, in gardens, orchards, etc..

8.7. Facilitate the development of new didactic and pedagogic materials to distribute to all schools, educators and students which contemplates the reality of agricultural and cultural field, and respecting regional differences, gender, ethnicity and religion.

9. DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN RURAL AREAS

The land reform program for a new popular project for agriculture should be accompanied by an extensive social program by the State guaranteeing the entire population of the field, the same opportunities for all Brazilians. And land reform must be the priority, the search in all its measures, to generate equal opportunities for all youth and women living in rural areas. Guarantee jobs, income, education and culture, thus countering the rural exodus and migration.

Measures

9.1. Implementing a comprehensive program of construction and improvement of housing in rural areas, coupled with guaranteed access to electric power, renewable and alternative sources of drinking water, public transport, information technology, and cultural activities in all rural communities. And develop in these communities  preventive family health programs.

9.2. Develop a program of democratization of the means of mass communication, so that communities can have their community radio stations, access to programs for community TV, etc.

9.3. Guide to the homes of families living within, are bonded, towns, communities, clusters of houses, rural villages, etc. according to regional reality and culture in order to facilitate public services of electricity, health, education and improvement of living conditions;

9.4. Develop an appreciation of the culture of the people of each region. And encourage the practice of sports from all disciplines, especially among children and youth.

9.5. Develop special programs that represent income generation for rural women. As well as collective social structural, early childhood education centers and cafeterias collectives that allow the participation of women on equal terms in productive activities.

9.6. Ensure the implementation of a preventive public health program for all rural communities. Valuing the popular knowledge, and the structures needed healing. As well as a massive program of training before health, living in communities.

10. THE ADMINISTRATIVE-INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE STATE

To achieve this program changes in the countryside aiming for a popular program of land reform, one must make immediate changes in the way public institutions function. We propose the following:

Measures

10.1. Restructuring and strengthening of INCRA [National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform – the federal land reform agency] as a tool for restructuring of public land ownership in Brazil. Matching ordinances, hiring staff and streamlining its administrative procedures. And by linking it directly to the presidency of the republic.

10.2. CONAB [National Supply Company – provides services to agriculture] restructuring and transforming it into a public company having a role with people’s agriculture, the guarantee of prices, the supply of local markets and regional food, and buy all products of agriculture reform. Establishing agro-industries in the settlements. Ensuring the provision of necessary inputs for land reform, giving priority to source organic and local.

10.3 Creation of a public institution linked to the land reform program, which has the function to ensure the public and free technical assistance, coordinating the process and development programs. And the general training of farmers for the new model. This institute will act in coordination with other public research (Embrapa and state companies,) and technical assistance that can best meet your goals. And with the participation of trade unions.

III. CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A PEOPLE'S AGRICULTURE

The proposed changes in the countryside, suggested here serve the interests of the vast majority of the population, and all Brazilian workers, depend on a process of constant struggle of the people in the countryside and cities, unable to accumulate sufficient power to impose these changes, the ruling classes, landlords and big capitalists will never accept, for it means the end of the process of exploitation and accumulation.

In order to be able to nourish this program and make it reality, depends on two basic factors:

1. POPULAR MOBILIZATION

The people should be the subject of any process of change in the countryside. And the changes only happen with public pressure.

Only the construction of a broad popular movement that brings together the millions of workers interested in the changes in society, may alter the current correlation of forces and enable the necessary changes.

This requires organizing, popularizing, and broaden popular participation in struggles and mobilizations, permanently. The changes required will only be achievable with a broad popular participation, before and during program implementation.

This land reform program will be enabled only with broad popular participation in all sectors.

We should take this debate, the need for a broad restructuring of ownership and agrarian production, to all schools, the media and forums, to educate the whole Brazilian society of its importance and its benefits to all people.
The actual achievements of settlements, associations, cooperatives and social organizations, are part of this process of accumulation and mobilization of forces to pursue genuine agrarian reform. And in each, we have first of all, to go applying our proposals, building our free territories.

2. ACTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S STATE

The implementation of these changes necessarily imply that the state, with everything that represents power (executive, legislative, judicial, security and economic power) is the key instrument for implementing the proposals.

Certainly it ought to be a State other than the current one. It should be governed democratically, with broad participation of the masses and always seeking the common good.

Moreover, there should be a new level of collaboration and cooperation between the federal, state and municipal levels.