Desenvolvimento sustentável em pequenas propriedades rurais familiares de Palmeira das Missões-RS

Abstract

Family farming has its importance for several reasons, including: the maintenance of man in the field, food production and also, avoiding the swelling of the cities added to their consequences, such as unemployment and violence among many others. The role of family farming is articulated with sustainable development and the family economy, and it is essential to understand this complex context. This research aimed to verify how the environmental, economic and social function of small rural properties in the district of Santa Terezinha, interior of the municipality of Palmeira das Missões, occurs. An exploratory and descriptive research was carried out, based on bibliographic research on the subject and observation, configuring itself as a qualitative approach. The research was attended by six small rural properties. The data collection instrument used was a semi-structured interview with open questions, first with the owners' personal data, then divided into three aspects that are: environmental, economic and social. The data obtained through the interviews were fully transcribed and, later, tables were made with the main evidence of each aspect. It was possible to identify that all farmers care about the environmental issue, however, it has no control of their revenues and expenses, as well as budget planning. They seek to actively participate in the community, harmoniously and concerned with improving the quality of life of their family and also society. However, they feel abandoned by agriculture-oriented entities such as EMATER, city hall, unions and universities. In this way, they want to obtain more technical and administrative knowledge for improvements in their properties in all aspects researched at work.