Agricultura familiar de Alto Rio Doce-MG: dos desafios às perspectivas futuras

Abstract

Family farming in Brazil forms the foundation of the country's food security. It puts food on the tables of millions, providing a healthy, high-quality diet. It is the rural sector that generates the most jobs in Brazil; cultivation practices are generally sustainable, prioritizing environmental preservation and avoiding the use of agrochemicals. To be classified as family farming, agricultural production must rely on labor and management primarily provided by members of the same family; the holding must not exceed four fiscal modules, and the majority of the family's income must be derived from the farming activity. Furthermore, for a family to participate in agricultural incentive programs, they must be registered with a municipal agency authorized to issue the CAF (National Family Farming Registry). Our research focuses on family farming in the municipality of Alto Rio Doce, Minas Gerais, aiming to highlight the challenges inherent in this agricultural activity and the difficulties faced by farmers—issues that are, in fact, structural consequences of Brazil's social development. After identifying these challenges, we consulted bibliographic references to propose measures that could improve the development of family farming in Alto Rio Doce today. Given that the outlook for family farming in the municipality is not promising, action is required to support this traditional, culturally significant, and vital sector to prevent its disappearance.