RELATIONS OF PROXIMITY BETWEEN LOCAL ACTORS AND TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT DYNAMICS: ANALYSIS OF THE QUEIJO ARTESANAL SERRANO VALUE CHAIN IN THE CAMPOS DE CIMA DA SERRA REGION/RS

Abstract

In the face of an increasing withdrawal of public authorities, the concept of territorial development is becoming important. A growing involvement of local actors in these development dynamics is visible. Here they increase their capacity to mobilize resources and create their own projects. Cooperative relations among local actors in short value chains seem to be a key element of their resilience, in which trust relationships are central. In this sense, we analyze the relationships of beef cattle production in native pastures associated with the production of Serrano Cheese in the Campos de Cima da Serra region-RS. This activity of historical importance disagrees with sanitary norms of production. In fact, the Brazilian laws do not deal with the specificities of artisanal production and are subject to the same sanitary standards and facilities as industrial dairies. Nowadays, the interest of consumers in artisanal and local products, and the growth of tourism allow an increase in the demand for artisanal cheese. Seven years ago, the Aprocampos producers' association was created with the objective to seek legal ways to continue producing, preserving historical characteristics of the Serrano cheese. However, this association is fragile, with little interest and initiative from the producers; being the Emater-RS (the extension services), the central actor in the incentive of Aprocampos. In this context, we seek to understand the role of proximity and trust in actor cooperations as well as to elaborate the importance of them for the territorial development process.