O pampa gaúcho e a contribuição da agricultura e da pecuária familiar no processo de desenvolvimento territorial

Abstract

The Pampa Gaúcho is a vast territory loaded with material and immaterial characteristics, which are consolidated as potentialities and opportunities for agroecological family agriculture and cattle ranching. However, the territory has been undergoing environmental transformations, caused by the insertion of modern agriculture. In this sense, the search for development models that respect the local dynamics and reveal the inherent potentialities of the Pampa Gaúcho, that is, territorial development, becomes fundamental. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the contribution of agro-ecological family agriculture and family cattle breeders in the process of territorial development in Pampa Gaúcho. Specifically, we sought a) to characterize family farmers and family cattle breeder’s units of agro-ecological production; b) to identify the material and immaterial aspects present in agro-ecological family agriculture and family cattle breeders; and c) to investigate the contributions of agro-ecological family agriculture and family cattle breeders in territorial development. Methodologically, the research has a qualitative approach, of exploratory character and the case study method. As for the elaboration, it was based on the following data collection techniques: semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation, combined with the use of the traverse and the field diary. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were carried out based on previously developed scripts, four interviews with development agents, and eleven interviews with agro-ecological family farmers and family cattle breeders. The research participants were selected by convenience or through indications. Data collection took place between october 2021 and february 2022. The material produced during data collection was verified using content analysis, which allowed the identification of categories, and the resulting content was grouped without previous determination. Triangulation of methods was also used to analyze the material. The results identify that there are contributions to the territorial development of the Pampa Gaúcho, both through agriculture and through agro-ecological family cattle breeders. In general, agro-ecological family agriculture is more related to the material attributes of the territory, and these factors guide their way of life and production in the Pampa Gaúcho. Agro-ecological family cattle breeders livestock farming, on the other hand, is related to the material attributes of the territory, based on the adaptation to the available natural resources, but more tied to the context of the intangible attributes, making this combination of factors a way of life. Regarding territorial movements in Pampa Gaúcho, agro-ecological family cattle breeders is closer to territorialization and territoriality, consolidating phenomena of territory in its original state. Agro-ecological family farming, in turn, is more related to what may come close to the movements of deterritorialization and reterritorialization, in the sense of provoking a new context for living, but without disregarding material and immaterial attributes of the territory.