Dynamics of production systems and their implications in the pampa biome

Abstract

Agricultural development changes the ecosystem with social, cultural, economic and environmental implications. These changes undergo constant evolution impacted by the dynamics in the development process. In view of this, the sustainability of agriculture in the municipality of Santo Antônio das Missões, RS, located in the Pampa Biome region, was researched. The first stage of the research was carried out through interviews with forty production units in the first half of 2020 and the second stage through online interviews, due to Covid 19, from September 2020 to April 2021. The study was also supported by thematic maps and secondary data. The evolution of agriculture, agroecological zoning, characterization of production systems were studied and action priorities were defined. As a result, seventeen types of production systems were characterized, thirteen family-based and four employer-based. The high numerical presence of family farming stands out, but extreme land concentration in grain production and beef cattle farming. There was a marked increase in soybean cultivation, a decrease in dairy activity and a significant reduction in beef cattle and sheep farming in the last ten years. Family livestock farmers and smallholders have difficulty reaching the level of social reproduction and growing types depend excessively on soybeans. Therefore, public authorities should prioritize family farmers in order to improve the level of social reproduction and develop strategies to reduce dependence on soy and impacts on the pampas biome.

Keywords: family farming; regional development; sustainability.