Brazil is the world's greatest producer of sugar. Enormous areas are covered with industrialized sugar cane growing and huge sugar factories. Usina Catende is the exception. It is organized as a small sugar coöperative based on solidarity of sugarcane growers and factory workers, with respect for the local environment. Demonstrations, meetings and discussions are part of their struggle to survive

Brazil, Pernambuco, Catenda

Foreman of Usina Catende advising farmers planting new sugarcane, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Catende

Female field labourers returning home after weeding the sugar cane plantation, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Catende

Thirsty cane cutters harvesting the fields around Catende, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Catende

Transport of harvested sugarcane by mule, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Catende

The coöperative sugar refinery in Catende town, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Jaqueira

Farmers at a meeting of Fetape, a union of rural workers, to discuss landownership, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Catende

Technicians of Usin Catende preparing machinery for the coming harvest-season, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Catende

Welder at Usina Catende, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Catende

Labourers during their coffee-break, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Catende

Labourers polishing a renovated flywheel, ready to be installed, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Recife

Street demonstration of members of Usina Catende, organized by Fetape, a union of rural workers, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Recife

Family members of Usina Catende workers and a Fetape forewoman duscussing the quality of distributed free food among demonstrators, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco Recife

Elder workers of Usina Catende listening to a Fetape union leader, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Recife

Mass-meeting of sugarcane farmers and workers of Usina Catende demonstratingin front of Camara Municipal do Recife, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Recife

Sugarcane farmers and workers of Usina Catende demonstrating in front of Camara Municipal do Recife, 2007

Brazil, Pernambuco, Catende

Foreman of Usina Catende carrying a machete, 2007

Brazil, Rio Grande del Norte, Goianina

Large scale sugar cane production at Usina Sao Estiva in Goianina, 2007