Pluriativity in family agriculture in the sandstone compartment of Pirapó River basin – Paraná/Brasil

Abstract

The aim of this study is analyzing the family pluriactive rural properties in the sandstone compartment of Pirapó River Basin – Paraná/Brazil, in order to understand their strategies of social and economic reproduction. One of the attributes of this sector of the basin is the prevalence of soil of medium and sandy texture, which is susceptible to erosion and poor in chemical elements. This study was conducted through activities that were divided into three stages: the first one was based on a bibliographic review; the second involved the collection and analysis of agricultural data from the Brazilian Institute of Statistical Geography; the last one consisted of a fieldwork and the creation of thematic maps. The data were collected through questionnaires answered by family rural producers. The research demonstrated that, in the rural properties that took part in the study, the soil, whose productive capacity is low due to its natural characteristics, is mainly used for pastures to feed dairy and beef cattle. Since this activity is more profitable in extensive areas, the producers adhere to pluriactivity as a strategy of social and economic reproduction.