Sistema Agrário do Município de Cruz das Almas, BA

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to contribute for a perspective of rural development and strengthening of family farming in the Recôncavo in the state of Bahia, Brazil, by providing diagnostic elements of the agricultural reality of Cruz das Almas as a way to collaborate with the strategic planning of the Municipal Department of Agriculture. This study was substantiated on the theoretical approach of Agricultural Systems and on the Agricultural Systems Analyses and Diagnosis methodology in order to investigate about the municipal agricultural situation. At first, primary and secondary sources were used to acquire information about the study object and its historical evolution. Then, a field research was developed integrating 35 farmers belonging to 10 rural communities, reaching the 4 agroecological zones that were identified. The data obtained in the field were treated and stablished 7 subsystem models – 6 farming systems and 1 livestock system. Comparing with the productive arrangements verified in the Agricultural Production Units achieved in the research, the 7 models were organised so that the diversity of combinations present in the sample could be reflected, stablishing a Production System Tipology – 6 types. The results were used as a foundation to bring discussion about themes demanded by the Department, such as: land redistribution, irrigation development, short marketing chains and mechanization.