Agricultura familiar e dinâmica ambiental no Distrito de Vale Verde (Porto Seguro - BA)

Abstract

Considering that the family farming plays a fundamental role in the Brazilian food supply, being able to generate income, employment, offer healthier products and improve the sustainability levels of agricultural activities, it is necessary to investigate this productive category. Based on this principle, the development of this research had as main objective to analyze family farming and the environmental dynamics in the district of Vale Verde (Porto Seguro-BA). This is an exploratory descriptive study with a mixed approach that used as techniques for data collection bibliographic, documentary, cartographic and field research through structured interviews. The results obtained show that among the family farmers surveyed there is a predominance of men in the exercise of rural productive activity and that, due to the low family income, some family members resort to rural exodus. Restriction on access to public policy programs is a reality, as is the lack of technical support. The low level of education of the interviewees was evidenced, a fact that can make it difficult to search for information and the consolidation of sustainability in the field. Another relevant result is the implementation by family farmers of conventional production practices, with the use of chemical inputs to combat pests and insects and of machines in soil preparation, however, there is a concern of them, about the amount and intensity used of these resources, to the point of associative management of organic inputs. The expressive preservation of native vegetation on the properties and the diversity of cultivated crops are other aspects that deserve attention