Agroecological potential of family farms in São Lourenço do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

With the aim of performing a critical analysis of its agrarian characteristics with emphasis in its agroecological potential in municipal district of São Lourenço do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, a study was performed through the application of 72 questionnaires to family farmers in six of the eight municipal districts. Most farmers presented pomeranian ancestry. Agriculture was considered familiar both due to farms’ sizes and due to family participation, especially farmers’ sons, in rural activities. Most farms were obtained through inheritance. The crop considered the most important to financial health was tobacco, although such crop occupied smaller areas than pastures, corn and soy, respectively. All farmers utilize chemical inputs in production, although all of them were open to a change to a more sustainable way of farming, specially due to health concerns. Most farmers do not have the perception that conventional farming can be prejudicial to the environment. São Lourenço do Sul can be considered as a possible resistance front to rural exodus and an important center for the development of public policies aiming the support of a more sustainable agricultural production.