Methodological device for the study of social reproduction strategies of family farmers in the Uruguayan agro

Abstract

In this paper we present the methodological device of a multiple case study conducted to family farmers from the West Coast of Uruguay. The study, of ethnographic type, integrates the contributions of biographical approaches and the Global Approach methodology to family farmers (AGEA methodology). It describes how the theoretical sample was designed and the stage of survey for information in each case, which involved visits to sixteen families of farmers located in four different territorial contexts. This line of research is reference to Pierre Bourdieu, his theory of practice and his system of fundamental concepts. From the analysis of the strategic operating models of the studied cases, it delves into the common and specific strategic rules systems according to trajectories and family cycles. Preliminary results from the study and methodological considerations on the potential and complementarity of the approaches used are presented.