CerAUP/UEM - Centro de Referência de Agricultura Urbana e Periurbana da Universidade Estadual de Maringá - Paraná

The Urban and Periurban Agriculture Reference Center (CerAUP/UEM) focuses on providing Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (ATER) based on agroecological principles and solidarity economy practices. Its mission is to empower communities involved in Urban and Periurban Agriculture programs within the Metropolitan Region of Maringá (RMM). Since 2008, CerAUP has facilitated significant improvements in food security, employment, and income generation for over 1,400 families in the RMM. These achievements have been supported through funding from the Ministry of Social Development and Hunger Alleviation (MDS), later expanded with partnerships involving the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE), the Maringá Municipal Government, and other local collaborators. Key initiatives include technical support provided by professionals and students, as well as organizational and logistical coordination for urban agricultural activities.

Beyond its direct community impact, CerAUP plays a vital role in shaping public policies related to Food and Nutritional Security. The center actively participates in forums such as COMSEA (Municipal Council for Food Security) and CORESAN (Regional Council for Food and Nutritional Security), contributing to the development and implementation of strategic actions to address urban food system challenges. Its efforts have reinforced the integration of urban agriculture into broader policy frameworks, ensuring sustainable benefits for local communities.

CerAUP also organizes events to strengthen knowledge exchange and skill-building among urban farmers. A notable example is the 11th Meeting of Community Garden and Urban Agriculture Producers, held in collaboration with the Maringá Municipal Government. The event combines workshops, capacity-building courses delivered by project fellows, and discussions on food sovereignty, security, and urban agriculture. The produce grown in community gardens primarily serves as a source of self-consumption, improving the nutrition of urban farmers and enhancing food quality for residents in peripheral neighborhoods.

CerAUP/UEM envisions a future where urban and periurban agriculture serves as a cornerstone for sustainable development, social empowerment, and food sovereignty. Its goals are to expand technical assistance and education in agroecology and solidarity economy, fostering resilience and self-sufficiency among urban farmers. By strengthening partnerships, advocating for inclusive public policies, and promoting community-driven initiatives, CerAUP aspires to create thriving, food-secure communities that integrate ecological principles with equitable economic opportunities, ensuring a better quality of life for all, especially those in vulnerable urban areas.