Dynamics of the occupation and formation of the territory in the middle Araguaia region, in the southwest tocantinese and the expansion of grain production

Abstract

The article presents a reflection on the dynamics of occupation and the formation of the territory in the region of the middle Araguaia, in the southwest of Tocantins, considering the fundamental and structuring role of irrigated agriculture for the production of grains. The availability of water resources made it possible for the region to become one of the largest producers of grains, rice and soybeans in the State and of greater representation in the national context. The present research analyzed the evolution of land use and occupation over 30 years, from 1988 to 2018, considering that the occupation by grain monoculture occurred in the early 1980s, a time when no study of medium and long-term environmental impact, for the adopted agricultural model, the consequences, such as the conflict over the use of water, due to the replacement of forested areas by pasture and agriculture impacted the hydrological cycle in the region, changing the amount and distribution of rainfall . Knowledge of the dynamics of the transformations that have taken place makes it possible to make decisions and strategies aimed at better management of water resources, since the region depends on irrigation systems to guarantee grain production.