Avaliação sobre as causas do não associativismo entre agricultores familiares do município de Nova Palma, RS, Brasil

Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate main reasons for family farmers of the Municipio Nova Palma, RS, Brasil, that could explain their resistance to participate in associations. The study characterizes the methodology employed, as it constitutes an innovation in itself. After that shows the importance of the associations, its historical evolution and conceptual meanings, and its current importance for small farmers. The implementation of the methodology implies three stages. In the stage one, eight people were interviewed as qualified informants, to develop the set of statements to be sorted. In the second stage, 32 family producers from different production systems of the Municipio Nova Palma, were interviewed and asked to rank-order opinion statements about why they do not participate in associations. In stage three the data was analyzed and interpreted using a special statistical software program called PCQ. The results show that there are three typologies of farmers: a) in favor of participating in associations, b) not in favor, and c) independents. Based upon these typologies, that involve seven factors, it can be concluded that family producers do not participate in associations mainly for two types of reasons: i) characteristics of personality, and ii) characteristics of associations. In the first case, individualism of persons emerge as an important characteristic that plays against participation. In the second case, the lack of clear objectives and cooperation among members in associations, and also the existence of conflicts inside the association, do not favor participation of farmers. Extension strategy should be based upon the visions of typology 1. Associations must establish clear objectives, related to economic aspects, and demonstrate the economical advantages of working together, if they want farmers to participate. Complementary, associations have to interact more with agrarian cooperatives and other support agencies.