Agricultura familiar e sistemas alimentares no Sertão Semiárido: um estudo no perímetro irrigado várzeas de Sousa - PB.

Abstract

This dissertation aims to analyze the functioning of the food systems built by family farmers in the Irrigated Perimeter of Várzeas de Sousa (PIVAS). For that, we carried out an exploratory and descriptive research, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, and a comprehensive approach, using methodological resources such as: bibliographical research, documental research, in loco observation, and application of forms and semi-structured interviews with drivers PIVAS family members. The study showed that family members were included in PIVAS via selection by the government of the State of Paraíba (qualified) and INCRA (signed), after seeing this possibility of obtaining land, income and working conditions. In the field of agriculture, the research identified mainly the production of coconut and banana. In the livestock scenario, the main creations found were cattle and poultry, created in the semi-intensive model. In agricultural production, different productive strategies were perceived, with the predominant use of traditional techniques among cultivated crops and agroecological techniques among planted farmers. The sale of crops to middlemen is seen as the main marketing channel used by cultivated farmers. In this reality, to a lesser extent, direct sales experiences were seen at free fairs and by family agroindustry. These channels integrate respectively with long circuits and short distribution circuits. Among the settled plantations, it is carried out by a small number of actors, due to the absence of a large-capacity irrigation system. The few that trade in this area sell mainly to middlemen, and to a lesser extent, sales appear at stalls located on the banks of the BR-230. In this situation, we see the integration of those produced to long and short circuits respectively. Animal production is carried out by a small number of farmers in both groups. Among the marketing channels used are home delivery for the sale of poultry and eggs and sales to middlemen for the sale of cattle, pigs and sheep. Throughout the trajectory of these farmers in PIVAS, we noticed the presence of the effect of a set of public policies, which allow countless benefits to farmers, however, still present obstacles that prevent access to their effects by most of them. Production for self-consumption, diversified, carried out based on sustainable practices and aimed directly at the food needs of the farmer's family is not the focus for the majority, and is carried out mainly by settled family farmers. On the other hand, production focused on commercialization, little diversified, based on the conventional model of agriculture is the interest of most qualified farmers. Despite the identification of initiatives for the production and commercialization of organic food along the trajectory of these actors in PIVAS, which indicate the potential of this group in the supply of this type of food for the region, it was seen that the focus of the production of family agriculture in this project, is today focused on conventional agriculture aimed at long marketing circuits.