Sustainability in small rural properties: an exploratory study on the perception of the farmer

Sustentabilidade nas pequenas propriedades rurais: um estudo exploratório sobre a percepção do agricultor

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36920/esa-v25n1-9

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the perception of Brazilian family farmers on the subject of sustainability in small farms. The central question is how to keep people in rural areas, encouraging the rational use of natural resources so as to cause the least environmental impact possible with its production practices without discussion of the sustainability issue. The problem lies in the sustainability of small farms using family labor, in which the production process, in general, is handmade and the production scale is small. The theoretical framework includes the issue on the grounds of the new rurality, productive diversification, pluriactivity and multifunctionality. The results indicate that the family farmers of small farms do not consider the adoption of production practices that rationally use natural resources and/or cause less environmental impact. The action of the capitalist logic is, guided by practices that generate enough income to keep the family members, reproduced from the practices observed in large farmers. The theoretical definition of rural sustainability is dissociated from practice in small farms, which are justified mainly by the absence of family labor and low profitability in productive activities that include the diversification of production and scale of production.

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Author Biographies

  • Rafaele Potrich, Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF), Brasil

    Mestranda em Administração no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração na Faculdade de Ciências Econômicas, Administrativas e Contábeis na Universidade de Passo Fundo (PPGAdm/FEAC/UPF). Bolsista Prosup/Capes. E-mail: rafapotrich@yahoo.com.br

  • Denize Grzybovski, Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF), Brasil

    Professora Permanente do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração na Faculdade de Ciências Econômicas, Administrativas e Contábeis na Universidade de Passo Fundo (PPGAdm/FEAC/UPF). Professora Convidada no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Desenvolvimento Regional na Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (PPGDR/Unijuí). E-mail: gdenize@upf.br

  • Carlisa Smoktunowicz Toebe, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS-RS), Brasil

    Professora no Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS – Campus Sertão/RS). E-mail: carlisa.toebe@sertao.ifrs.edu.br

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Published

2017-02-24

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 1: Estudos Sociedade e Agricultura (fevereiro a maio de 2017)

Section

Articles (continuous flow)

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