O programa PROAMBIENTE na Transamazônica: lições aprendidas

Abstract

The study aimed at formulating lessons from the Brazil's Programme for the Socio-Environmental Development of Rural Family Production (PROAMBIENTE) in the Transamazon Highway pole in the Xingu region, Para State. The methodology included interviews to small farmers as well as institutional actors that participated in the Programme. From the analysis of the Programme interventions some important lessons could be formulated, among them the need to: i) involve farmers with a real interest an capacity to assume risks; ü) avoid paternalistic behaviors (based on donations); üi) ensure continuity of key activities such as the scheme for payment for environmental services; iv) use an integrated approach of the production system; v) shift the way technical assistance and rural extension are conceived and practiced; vi) strengthen the local rural organization; vü) generate value-add to production thru processing and commercialization of products of economic importance; and vüi) avoid the creation of false expectations among farmers.