Agricultura urbana: contribuição e importância dos quintais para a alimentação e renda dos agricultores urbanos de Santarém - Pará

Abstract

The formation of urban neighborhoods in the area of Santarem is based on agricultural production, and this determines the socio-territorial reorganization of the city, causing it to present contradictions, and despite being "inside" of what is considered urban, are visible in this area habits and customs remain rural and agricultural production discussed here as urban agriculture. To identify and characterize the different activities of urban agriculture observed in Santarém / Pará (2 ° 24 '52 "S and 54 º 42' 36" W), to assess the importance and contribution of the same for food and income for families of farmers to develop, this study was conducted. Data collection was through home visits to farmers in the period May / June and September / October 2010, priority was intentional samples using the technique of "snowball". Structured interviews were conducted semi-structured interviews with 56 urban farmers, and their areas of production were driven method of guided tours, during which we surveyed the plant and animal species that made up and its intended use. When permitted species were also photographed. The botanical material was collected, and forwarded to herbalized IAN Herbarium of Embrapa Eastern Amazon, for identification. The contribution of urban agricultural activities for income was achieved through the use of the tools of the systemic approach of calculations and adjustments in the domestic economy from which we constructed a typology of different production systems sampled. We observed seven different activities in Santarém urban agriculture (agroforestry gardens, fish farming, cultivation of ornamental plants, nursery seedlings of forest, horticulture and mini-farm) activities are carried out in different spaces (backyards, private lots, and side avenues). We recorded the occurrence of 247 plant species grown in different areas of production and 11 animal species, cultivated and raised for different purposes of use. The creation of small animals occurred only within the gardens which has revealed to us, along with the cultivation of food crops, the feeding habits of the farmers who manage and handle. The results provide evidence that analyzed the different activities observed for urban agriculture in Santarém contribute significantly to the income of farmers, either through direct income from the sale of products produced or obtained with the indirect income to the economy arising from the production of foods that are no longer purchased by farmers. Thus we conclude that the importance of the different exercise activities on urban agriculture for farmers varies around the purpose of production and products produced, as well as contribute to the promotion of citizenship, is providing products that improve the quality of life of farm families , is absorbing family labor available, which increases self-esteem of farmers and ensure that they sustain their families in dignity.