Proposta de melhoria da produtividade do processo de obtenção das raízes de mandioca na Agricultura Familiar

Abstract

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) production is the eighth most important among Brazil’s main agricultural crops. Throughout the past decade, this country has alternated between being the second and the fourth-largest producer of this product worldwide. In terms of regional production, cassava holds first place in Amazonas State, being the most important for the local economy while simultaneously constituting both income and food for small producers. Nevertheless, cassava harvesting has been shown to need investments with respect to the technologies applied to the extraction of these root tubers, since very primitive tools are still being used. These, alongside resulting in low productivity, are generating ergonomic difficulties for the workers thar are responsible for 58% of nacional production and 93% if considered production in North of Brazil only. The main objective of this study, therefore, is to propose improvements for the process of extracting cassava root tubers for family-based agriculture. For this purpose, it was promoted sample selection and identification activities; collected data related to cassava production; assessed the main difficulties related to cassava harvesting; determined priorities; and made a proposal for improving the family-based cassava production process. The data was collected in several communities in Amazonas State. The outcome obtained allowed a greater technological insertion in the family-based agricultural process, so that the proposed process improved productivity in obtaining cassava roots extraction. In addition, it was possible to gather important information on the type of soil preferred for planting, tools used in the processes, criteria to establish the planting, identification of critical processes, acceptable cost to purchase tools for planting cassava in family-based agriculture in communities in Amazonas’ state.