A fruticultura familiar e a extensão rural: um estudo de caso no munícipio de Iguatu-CE

Abstract

Irrigated agriculture is an alternative in some states of the Northeast. Family agriculture is that in which the management, ownership and most of the work is of individuals which have among themselves blood or marriage ties. The Ceará agricultural modernization happened in a heterogeneous way among its municipalities and is also based on a structure of concentration of land ownership. We point out that in Ceará around 75% of the agricultural and livestock establishments are made up of less than 10 hectares. The Ceará agricultural development is revealed mainly in the activities connected to irrigated fruticulture. Brazil is the third largest world producer of fruits, behind only China and India. In the country, there are more than 500 varieties of fructiferous plants, of which half are native to Amazonia. Among the successful experiences of irrigated fruticulture in small family productions is one developed in irrigated perimeters of the Middle and Lower Middle Valley of the São Francisco Valley. Bananas are the fourth food item most produced on the planet preceded by rice, wheat and corn. In many countries, it is the main source of revenues and generator of employment and income for an expressive part of the population. In the last three decades, there was a significant increase of 122% in the world volume of bananas produced. Bahia is the state that produces the most bananas in the country and the production of the fruit is concentrated in family based agriculture which represents 60% of the rural producers. In Ceará the complex formed by family agriculture represents 12% of the economy. The importance of fruticulture is crucial for the whole economy of the region, since its production can generate greater value per area, fixing an added value and employment in the regions where it is developed. The main conception of rural extension and technical assistance which was in force up to the decade of 1980 in Brazil is known as diffusionist, the main goal of which is to shorten the time which generally takes place between the release of an innovation and the utilization of this innovation by the majority of the producers. This work is methodologically founded on bibliographic and documental research, and takes into consideration the experience of the author during many long years of work with family farmers. It was carried out in the Municipality of Iguatu, CE, located within the 7,44º S – 40,87º W and 5,39º S – 38,79º W quadrants. The research reveals accentuated differences in the information about the production, the preference for certain varieties of bananas, but the main conclusion shows a lack of assistance for at least 80% of the producers, according to the information of the City Hall, which promotes cumulative social and economic damage to the municipality. This research aims to show the importance of fruticulture from the family agriculture in the country and especially from the Northeast and the need for it to be supported in all ways as a factor for improvement of income and of the living conditions of the farming population. The study is based on the case of the municipality of Iguatu, CE. This work is dedicated to the farmers and the professional extension workers of this municipality.