Inovações em sistemas de produção de arroz de agricultores familiares na região central do Rio Grande do Sul - BR e do Baixo Limpopo - MZ

Abstract

Agricultural innovation is the process by which individuals and organizations create products, processes, or forms of organization, with the aim of increasing efficiency, competitiveness, resilience to shocks, or environmental sustainability. Its objective is to contribute to food and nutritional security, socioeconomic development, or sustainable management of natural resources (FAO, 2023). Agricultural innovations can be important tools in improving rice production and productivity. This study aims to analyze innovations in rice production systems in Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil and in the lower Limpopo irrigation system-Mozambique. To achieve the objectives, secondary sources were used through a literature review, primary data obtained through semi-structured research and carried out between October and December 2023. The research is characterized as a multi-case, and the data collection was carried out in the municipalities of Dona Francisca and Agudo, in Rio Grande do Sul, and farmers, Emater technicians, and IRGA technicians were interviewed. In Mozambique, the interview was conducted with technicians from rural extension, the institute of agricultural research of Mozambique and producers. The results of this research reveal that producers in the Baixo Limpopo irrigated area use direct and conventional production systems and manual transplanting, while in Brazil they use conventional direct planting systems, pre-emergent production systems and minimum cultivation systems. Producers in the Dona Francisca and Agudo regions, in Rio Grande do Sul, adhere to technologies that use inorganic fertilizers in an amount corresponding to 620 kg/ha, use pesticides and herbicides to control pests and diseases, as well as to eliminate weeds in crops. In Mozambique, a large part of the producers in the family sector still use human labor and animal traction in their activities, for soil preparation, weed control and harvesting. The number of fertilizers used by producers in the Baixo Limpopo irrigated area varies from 0 to 100 kg per hectare. The levels of production and productivity achieved in Brazil and Mozambique are influenced by socioeconomic factors and institutional changes. Rice producers in Brazil have more support to improve production, such as access to credit, a market for purchasing inputs and selling surpluses, financing for the acquisition of machinery, purchase of genetically improved seeds, etc. In Mozambique, production is focused on family self-sustenance due to the low production and productivity observed due to the low level of adoption of production technologies that negatively influence the increase in production.