Análise socioeconômica na agricultura familiar: uma avaliação da aplicação do PRONAF

Abstract

Family farming has a significant role in economic and social development in rural areas. In Brazil, small-scale farmers face structural limitations, mainly due to the lack of modernization in the family farming sector, which makes it difficult for families to remain in the settlements they live, increasing rural exodus, especially the younger people. From this perspective, this study aimed to identify and analyze the socioeconomic and demographic configuration in Lagoa Azul rural settlement, situated in Rio Brilhante (MS) city. It also intends to analyze the level of socioeconomic sustainability of beneficiary farmers and non-beneficiaries’ ones of PRONAF financial credits. Data from a field research collected and provided by the Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária, resulted from a survey questionnaire applied to 83% of the settlement lots owners, were used for the accomplishment of this study. A model of sustainability index of rural settlements was used for the sustainability analysis. Both the beneficiary and non-beneficiary family farmers presented a regular level of sustainability, and Pronaf program did not impact significantly on their beneficiaries. The results of this study indicated it is necessary: to improve the owners’ level of education to make it possible for them to better manage their production facilities; encourage the participation of households in associations and / or cooperatives, to make production and marketing more moneymaking; to diversify productive activities; to improve farmers' access to local markets; to enhance female labor; and to increase government support through public policies and technical assistance as well.