Ways of (Re)Organization of Productive Systems, Social Changes and Environmental Perceptions in the District of Rincão dos Kroeff, São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

This article was developed from a research carried out by a environmental management student at the Universidade Estadual Rio Grande do Sul (UERGS), located in São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul (RS). The main objective of this research was to identify and analyze the changes in agricultural practices conducted by farmers who live in Rincão do Kroeff district, located in São Francisco de Paula/RS, as well as the environmental perceptions of these farmers concerning to the place where they live and how agriculture had evolved in this district until this research ended. This work was organized methodologically through bibliographic research, interviews and taking-notes. It was found that among the interviews the main agricultural activities were related to cattle and milk production, as well as pastures, corn, beans, potatoes and vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, among others and, finally, forestry extractivism of species such as pine and eucalyptus. It was noticed that 37% of the farmers interviewed were the owners of their lands, however, the dynamics of "leases" has been gaining space in the properties in the last few years, as well as the appearance of "middlemen". In relation to environmental perceptions, it is possible to say that, in spite of the environmental awareness, the most of the farmers keeps continuosly using techniques that threaten the environment. At last, it was plain to see the existence of a huge paradox between "environmental preservation" and "agricultural practices", once the farmers said they believed it was important to preserve the environment, but they didn’t think about changing their agricultural practices.