Percepção ambiental e sustentabilidade de agricultores familiares nas localidades dos lagos do Paru e do Calado, Manacapuru/Am

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the environmental perception of family farmers about the sustainability of family farming in the locality of Lagos do Paru e do Calado, Manacapuru, Amazonas State, Brazil. The approach adopted in the research was systemic and multi-disciplinary approach to the construction of knowledge. The method employed was the case study, combining various techniques: field diary, simple observation, semi-structured interviews and meeting with focus groups of adults. Data analysis showed that the family farmers of the locality have in your production system different characteristics in the use of natural resources such as access to different units of landscapes (forest, terra firme , restinga , lakes e river) and system components (extractivism animal and vegetal, fallow, roça , cultivation, home garden e creation). It can be observed from the perception of farmers about the environment, conservation strategies developed, categorized as: forest conservation (36,7%); lakes/river (36,7%); gallery forest (14,3%) e araçazal (12,2%). In addition, were identified the following factors that negatively impact the landscape: external pressure (37,8%), population growth (27 %), farm/cattle (18,9%) e pottery (16,2%), these factors compromise to environmental conservation in the locality. From the observed data were constructed sustainability indicators: i) social organization, ii) myths and symbols, iii) access to the diversity of landscape units for agricultural crops and extraction, iv) pluriactivity and v) adaptability for understanding the relationships (social, economic) between these family farmers and the environment. Thus, it was found that the family farmers perceive that the modification process promotes change in the landscape conservation strategies, compromising the sustainability of agricultural production units.