AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR NO VALE DO AÇU (RN):

UMA CARACTERIZAÇÃO A PARTIR DO CENSO AGROPECUÁRIO 2017

Abstract

The aim of this article is to measure and outline the socioeconomic profile of family farming in the Vale do Açu microregion, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. For this purpose, data from the 2017 IBGE Agricultural Census published at the end of 2019 was used as a reference. The study shows that family farming is the numerically most expressive segment in the rural environment of the Açuense micro-region, playing an important role in the production of staple foods. However, the prevailing land concentration and some characteristics of those responsible for the establishments point to social and productive weaknesses, such as the low technological standard among producers. In view of this, the survival of that segment is still heavily dependent on external income from pensions, pensions and other types of social transfers, signaling the need to increase public policies for rural development to expand its capacity to generate employment and income.