Modernization of agriculture, uncertainty of security and migration of the rural population in the municipality of Frutal (MG), Brazil

Abstract

Over the last few decades, there have been changes in the universe of agriculture and livestock that caused the rural exodus in Brazil. In this article, we aim to reveal some transformative processes that impacted the dynamics of the rural population in the municipality of Frutal (MG), Brazil. To this end, we carried out a theoretical review on books, academic researches, interviews with representatives of municipal institutions and in three rural communities in Frutal: the district of Aparecida de Minas, the village of Boa Esperança and Vila Barroso. In addition, we carried out the collection of census data at the IBGE and its representation. We found that the intertwining of processes such as the modernization of agriculture, behavioral changes, population aging and the drop in fertility rates resulted in the emptying of the countryside in Frutal. Secondarily, this is combined with unsafety, as the increase in thefts on rural properties can also influence the decision of some families about staying in the countryside or migrating to cities, in contemporary times.