O bicudo e a crise do cotonicultor no Estado da Paraíba.

Abstract

The intent of this study is to show that peasant cotton farmers, represented by small landholders, sharecroppers and tenants, responsible for nearly all the production of cotton in the state of Paraiba, have been living a continuous crisis for some time. As a background situation, there exists an unjust agrarian structure. The occurrence of the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) has only served to worsen the already existing situation. Cotton in the state of Paraiba is produced in its near totality by small cotton farmers, comprised of sharecroppers, small landowners and tenant farmers who predomintly utilize family manpower and, occasionally, hired help. This family agriculture is carried out principally in the duality consisting of subsistence cultures with emphasis on corn-beans x a commercial culture, represented by cotton. This agricultural activity takes place within an extremely concentrated agrarian structure'm which the small landholder x large landholder dichotomy prevails. The occurrence of the boll weevil in cotton plantations in the state of Paraiba has contributed to a sharp reduction in the cultivated area, production and average yields of this crop and, as a result, in the monetary return of the cotton farmers. To make the situation of these cotton planters even worse, this reduction in cotton production, contrary to the law of supply and demand, has not resulted in a real increase'm the prices of this product as might have been expected. The appearance of the boll weevil pest has also contributed to a limitation of resources for financing cotton production, through rural credit, thus increasing, in relative terms, the participation of private and third-party resources. The peasant cotton farmer inserted into this context of absolute poverty, is unable to make a minimum living necessary for his own survival and for his family. The tendency will be to migrate, abandoning his field of operations which is the land.