A sustentabilidade e tecnologia da produção de coco no município de Sousa, Paraíba-Brasil.

Abstract

The national production of coconut occupies an area of 199,624 hectares, with production equivalent to 1.5 billion fruits, an activity that provides increased possibilities for agriculture in Brazil, providing economic and social development for those who exercise this occupation. Despite its importance, it is necessary to consider the existence of problems that affect this activity, and that negatively interfere in the sustainability of production. From this perspective, this research project aimed to assess the social profile of coconut producers in the municipality of Sousa, Paraíba, as well as the Sustainability and Technological Level of this production. For its development, a bibliographical survey was carried out on the subject under study, followed by the application of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 40 producers residing in the municipality. Based on this data, the Quality of Life, Social and Environmental Capital Indexes were calculated, in order to then calculate the Sustainability Index and assess the Sustainability Level. In addition, the Technological Index was calculated in order to assess the Technological Level used in coconut production in the area under study. Furthermore, measures capable of contributing to improving the variables that make up the Sustainability and Technological Index were proposed. The research results reveal that the social profile of the coconut producer in the municipality of Sousa is represented by adults, married and having completed high school. As for the Sustainability and Technological Level of coconut production in the municipality, it was found that both have intermediate level values.