Based on research in two areas of the State of São Paulo (Araraquara and Pontal do Paranapanema), this article conducts a critical discussion of the principal mediating agencies in development projects for rural settlements (government agencies and workers' organizations). Based on qualitative research with data collected over an extended period, the study reconstitutes the web of specific social tensions generated by the reciprocal influences between these agencies within the broader context of the political dispensations in the State and Federal governments. The article concludes that these mediations oscillated in recent decades, proving incapable of proposing consistent development projects. This situation results from changes in the political orientation of government administrations and leadership in the workers' organizations, leaving a vacuum in their long-term strategies.

A partir d'une recherche effectuée dans deux régions de l'État de São Paulo (Araraquara et Pontal do Paranapanema), cet article alimente un débat critique sur les deux principales agences médiatrices de projets de développement destinés aux lotissements de la réforme agraire (organes officiels et organisations de travailleurs). A partir d'une recherche qualitative dont les données ont été recueillies sur une longue période, l'article reconstitue la trame des tensions sociales spécifiques engendrées par les influences réciproquesque cesagences exercent lesunessur lesautresau sein du contexte général des conjonctures politiques propres au gouvernement de l'État et à celui de la Fédération. L'auteur conclut qu´au cours des dernières décennies ces médiations se sont montrées oscillantes, incapables de présenter des projets consistants de développement. Ceci est dû aux changements dans les orientations politiques des gouvernements et dans la direction des organisations, ce qui engendre un vide de stratégies sur le long cours.

A controversa presença da cana nos assentamentos rurais nos últimos anos exige uma cuidadosa reflexão sobre sua interferência no modo de vida dos assentados e na relação dos assentamentos com a dinâmica do desenvolvimento regional. A presença da cana-de-açúcar nos assentamentos tem causado conflitos internos e debates não consensuais sobre o passado/presente/futuro dessas experiências. A análise da parceria com as agroindústrias é atravessada, do nosso ponto de vista, pela noção de trama de tensões, exigindo que sejam submetidas ao crivo analítico as desigualdades constitutivas desta polêmica integração dos assentados às usinas de açúcar e álcool, assim como as consequências socioeconômicas e ambientais da problemática transformação dos assentamentos rurais em celeiros da cana. No âmbito desse artigo, serão considerados como objetos da investigação os assentamentos das regiões de Araraquara e do Pontal do Paranapanema e analisadas perspectivas de outro modelo de desenvolvimento.

The controversial presence of sugarcane in rural settlements, in the recent years, requires a careful examination of its interference in the way of life of the settlers and in the relationship of the settlements with the dynamics of regional development. The cultivation of sugarcane in the settlements has caused internal conflicts, and put into debate the past, present and future of these experiences. The analysis of the partnership with the agribusiness is entangled in a web of tensions, thus requiring an analytical scrutiny of the inequalities that led to this controversial integration of the settlers into sugar and ethanol processing plants, as well as the socio-economic and environmental consequences of the problematic transformation of rural settlements into sugarcane farms. This article examines the settlements in Araraquara and Pontal do Paranapanema, in the state of São Paulo, and the prospects for another model of development.

Este artigo discute os dilemas e as contradições das atuais experiências de assentamentos rurais, a partir da trama de tensões gerada entre distintos agentes, estratégias e racionalidades. Analisa as alternativas controversas à integração no sistema produtivo agroindustrial do biodiesel e as perspectivas de programas municipais dirigidos a assentados e pequenos produtores. Discutem-se as possibilidades dessas opções para o presente/futuro dessas experiências, em duas regiões, com perfis diferenciados de desenvolvimento regional.

This paper discusses the dilemmas and the contradictions of the current experiences of rural settlements, based on the net of tensions which are generated among different agents, strategies and rationalities. It analyzes the controversial alternatives to the integration in the agroindustrial productive system, of the biodiesel and the perspectives of municipal programs directed to rural settlers and to small producers. It discusses the possibilities of these options for the present/future of these experiences in two regions with different profiles of regional development.

Este artículo discute los dilemas y las contradicciones de las actuales experiencias de asentamientos rurales, a partir de la trama de tensiones producida entre distintos agentes, estrategias y racionalidades. Analisa las alternativas controversas a la integración en el sistema productivo agroindustrial, del biodiesel y las perspectivas de programas municipales dirigidos a asentados y pequeños productores. Se discute las posibilidades de esas opciones para el presente/futuro de esas experiencias en dos regiones con perfiles distintos de desarrollo regional.

L'objectif de notre texte est de mettre en discussion les dilemmes construits à partir des expériences relatives à les Assentamentos Ruraux et leur agencement en tant que tensions sociales engendrées par des agents et leurs stratégies et rationalités distinctes. Il s'ensuit qu'on fait l'analyse juste à l'actualité des alternatives polémiques à propos de l'intégration dans le système agro-business productif du biodiesel par rapport aux programmes socio-économiques municipaux vers directement les assentados et les petits producteurs. Nous en présentons quelques-unes des possibilités pour le présent / futur dans deux régions dont leur profil est tout à fait différent.