Family Farming In Brazil Research Articles

Evaluation of bovine Parainfluenza type-3 virus and Influenza virus D participation in bovine respiratory disease of calves from Brazilian family farming

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is responsible for great economic losses in bovine production with major impact on family farming. Among all possible causes of bovine respiratory disease, viruses are commonly categorized as primary etiological agents. The present study aimed to identify the presence of bovine parainfluenza type 3 virus and Influenza virus D (IVD) in tracheobronchial fluid samples of healthy calves and calves showing clinical signs of bovine respiratory disease. Samples were collected from 42 family farming farms in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. A total of 141 tracheobronchial fluid samples from healthy calves (n=100) and calves showing clinical signs of bovine respiratory disease (n=41) were enrolled in this study. No sample was positive for both viruses after Real-Time PCR. Serum neutralization for bovine Parainfluenza type 3 virus (bPI-3v) was performed using 88 randomly selected serum samples and antibodies were detected in 45.45% (40/88) samples. Serum reactive samples were detected in both healthy (46.8%; 22/47) and BRD calves (43.9%; 18/41). Regarding antibody titer, numerical differences were detected between healthy (3%) and BRD calves (9%) for titers 128-512 (P > 0.05). The present research was the first that aimed to study the presence of bPI-3V and IVD in family farming herds from Sao Paulo State, Brazil. This research revealed that bPI-3v is circulating in the region studied and is possibly involved in some BRD cases. On the other hand, IVD was not detected.

Serological investigation of antibodies against respiratory viruses in calves from Brazilian family farming and their relation to clinical signs of bovine respiratory disease

ABSTRACT: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is responsible for economic losses in cattle production. Viruses are categorized as primary etiological agents. The aims of this study were to evaluate the presence of antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpes virus type 1 (BoHV-1), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) in healthy and BRD calves from family farming in relation to clinical signs of BRD. Hundred and forty-five calves were randomly selected and physical examination was performed. Only 123 animals were classified as healthy and BRD calves. Antibodies were evaluated by virus neutralization test. Person’s Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were performed as univariate analysis. Binary Logistic Regression was applied as multivariate analysis. Variables with P<0.10 were considered statistically significant. Variables with 0.15<P<0.10 were considered as statistical tendencies. Antibodies against BoHV-1, BVDV, and BRSV were detected in 32%, 23% and 37% animals. Antibodies against both three viruses were detected in 26.8% of calves. The presence of antibodies against BRSV were associated to normal heart rates (P=0.018) and unilateral airflow (P=0.035). Tendency was observed to unilateral airflow (P=0.06) Statistical tendencies were observed to Ab-BoHV-1 and body temperature (P=0.119) and breathing pattern (P=0.123). The profile of antibodies against respiratory viruses in calves from Brazilian family farming was firstly described. The results confirmed the importance of some clinical signs to viral infection.

Bacterial pathogens of the lower respiratory tract of calves from Brazilian rural settlement herds and their association with clinical signs of bovine respiratory disease

ABSTRACT: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is considered the major cause of economic losses in dairy and beef cattle production. The study aimed to detect the most important bacteria related to respiratory disease in tracheobronchial fluid samples of healthy and dairy calves with clinical signs of BRD in Brazilian rural settlements. Hundred and forty-one mongrel dairy calves were randomly selected from 42 family farm dairy herds from Brazilian settlements. Physical examination was performed and calves were classified as healthy (n=100) and BRD (n=41). Tracheobronchial fluid samples were collected. Isolation and molecular detection of Mycoplasma dispar, M. bovis and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC besides isolation of other aerobic bacteria were performed. Abnormal lung sounds (crackle/snoring/whistle), mucopurulent/purulent nasal discharge, body temperature >39.5°C and respiratory rate >40 breaths/min were higher in BRD calves compared to healthy calves (P<0.05). Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus intermedius and non-fermentative Gram-negative were the most prevalent bacteria isolated. Non-identified species from Enterobacteriaceae family was higher in BRD calves compared to healthy calves (P<0.05). Mollicutes were isolated in 7.4% of samples and only M. dispar was detected. Mollicutes was associated with purulent/mucopurulent nasal discharge (P=0.017). Pantoea agglomerans was associated to tachypnea (P=0.020), and Streptococcus spp. was associated with hyperthermia. Statistical tendencies were observed to M. dispar and tachypnea (P=0.066), and P. agglomerans and tachycardia (P=0.066). The obtained results describe the microorganisms found in tracheobronchial fluid of calves with BRD in some herds of Brazilian family farming and their relation to clinical signs of BRD.

English

Intercropping of maize and cowpea is widely used by Brazilian family farmers. The aim of this work is to compare the grain yield of two maize cultivars, and one cultivar of cowpea in organic system. Treatments of monoculture of cowpea (Poços de Caldas) and maize ('BR106' and 'AG1051') and intercropping were used. A randomized block design with four replicates in an area under conversion to organic production system was used. The experiment was conducted in the period of October 2012 to March 2013, corresponding to the periods of spring/summer. The maize alone was on average, 26.5 cm taller and grain yield was 28% higher than in the intercropping. The cowpea intercropped with maize 'AG 1051' was 3.8 cm taller than the intercropped with 'BR 106'. In monoculture, the cowpea presented more (0.7 and 1.2 grain per pod when intercropped with 'AG 1051' and 'BR 106', respectively). The cowpea monoculture resulted in 2.4 pods per plant than in intercropping and productivity was 5.4 times higher than that of the intercropping. The cowpea intercropped with 'BR 106' was efficient, while that with 'AG1051' was inefficient in terms of land equivalent coefficient. Key words: Vigna unguiculata, Zea mays, land equivalent coefficient.

English

The goal of this paper is to provide an update on smallholder farming in Brazil. Instead of using data from the last available Agricultural Census (2006), a database from the Ministry of Agrarian Development for 2014 was used. These data are extracted from a tax form called “Declaração de Aptidão ao Pronaf-DAP” (Declaration of Aptitude to Pronaf) that is mandatory for all farmers in Brazil and is used as a source of information to screen smallholders, also called “family farmers” in Brazil, applying for special subsidized public funds available to those in this category. Therefore, the DAP is a valuable source of information regarding this sector. The results show that family farming in Brazil continues to grow and is concentrated in the Northeastern region. The South and Southeast have the highest yields per hectare, up to seven times more than the Northeast. Most of the land is in the hands of a small group concentrated in the Northeast, while most of the income is in the hands of a small group concentrated in the South.   Key words: Family farm, economy, Brazil, agriculture.

Agroecology, Public Policies and Labor-Driven Intensification: Alternative Development Trajectories in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region

The institutional recognition obtained by family farming in Brazil over recent decades has translated into the launching of a broad and diverse set of public policies specifically aimed towards this sociopolitical category. However, the design of these policies was heavily influenced by the productivist bias derived from the agricultural modernization paradigm, making the sector increasingly dependent on input and capital markets. In this same movement of institutional evolution, policies consistent with the agroecological approach created new margins for maneuvering for development trajectories founded on the use of local resources self-controlled by rural families and communities. Taking as a reference the recent trajectory of rural development in Brazil’s semi-arid region, the article analyses the role of the agroecological perspective in the strategic combination between territorially endogenous rural resources and public resources redistributed by the State. Based on the analysis of the economy of agroecosystems linked to two sociotechnical networks structured by contrasting logics of productive intensification, the study demonstrates agroecology’s potential as a scientific-technological approach for the combined attainment of various Sustainable Development Goals, starting with the economic and political emancipation of the socially most vulnerable portions of the rural population.

Políticas públicas de desenvolvimento rural no Brasil: o dilema entre inclusão produtiva e assistência social

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7984.2016v15nesp1p49Nas duas últimas décadas, estabeleceu-se uma evidente dicotomia entre as políticas de caráterprodutivo e aquelas destinadas à assistência social das unidades agrícolas familiares no Brasil.Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar esse processo de dualização das principais políticas públicas destinadas à agricultura familiar, elaborando um panorama quantitativo dos seus resultados. Do ponto de vista metodológico, a análise se apoia sobre o número de agricultores beneficiados pelas políticas de reforma agrária, crédito rural, mercados institucionais de alimentos, previdência social rural e transferência de renda. Os principais resultados deste estudo indicam que o apoio econômico para as atividades produtivas da agricultura familiar brasileira tem se concentrado nas camadas intermediárias e consolidadas inseridas nos mercados. Em paralelo, a maior parte dos agricultores familiares é relegada ao assistencialismo social, não integrando as agendas de trabalho das principais organizações profissionais agrícolas.

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

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.

A EMERGÊNCIA DOS MERCADOS INSTITUCIONAIS NO ESPAÇO RURAL BRASILEIRO: AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR E SEGURANÇA ALIMENTAR E NUTRICIONAL

doi: 10.12957/geouerj.2016.19161 The present paper analyzes the chief contributions from institutional markets generated to Brazilian family farmers and, by contrast, presents the obstacles that hinder their access or permanence in these markets. For such, readings were made of works that address the theme, and interviews were performed with different social agents responsible for the operationalization of programs like PAA, PNAE and Sao Paulo Program for Social Interest Farming (PPAIS) in Dracena municipality, in Sao Paulo state west region. Based on analyses made, it was concluded that such programs have great potential to yield sustainable rural development actions in Brazilian countryside and ensure food and nutritional safety of needy populations. For such, public authorities should adopt measures to minimize issues that limit family famers’ access to and/or permanence in programs oriented to family farming.

Epidemiological analysis of infection by the bovine viral diarrhea virus on family farms in Brazil

The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of infection by the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) on family farms, as well as to study the risk factors associated with the infection. In total, 319 blood serum samples were collected from cattle, of reproductive age (>24 months) in 24 herds from 11 cities of the brejo microregion in Pernambuco. The samples were subjected to the seroneutralization test to detect anti-BVDV antibodies. In order to identify the risk factors associated with the BVDV, a questionnaire epidemiologic was applied and followed by statistical analysis of logistic regression, with the serological test considered as the dependent variable (reagent or non-reagent). A prevalence of 51.1% (163/319; C.I. 45.5% - 56.7%) was found in the present study. Of the 24 herds sampled, 100.0% contained at least one reagent animal. The prevalence in the counties ranged from 23.1% to 70.0%. The following risk factors were identified in the present study: not providing colostrum (OR 3.85; p=0.018); disease unknown (OR 2.54; p=0.001) and consortium breeding (OR 1.76; p=0.013). Based on these results, it was clear that BVDV infection is widespread in herds on family farms in the microregion studied herein. Health education policies must be implemented for producers and professionals who provide technical assistance. In addition, based on the risk factors identified in the present study, hygiene-sanitary measures should be implemented in order to reduce the prevalence of the BVDV.

Assessment of rural credit impact on land and labor productivity for Brazilian family farmers

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of rural credit on land and labor productivity for Brazilian family farmers and assess factors influencing the rural credit approval process. The study employs data contained in the 2006 Brazilian Municipality1 Agricultural Census and a “trade index” (TI) specifically constructed to differentiate family farmers. The impact of credit on land and labor productivity was calculated by comparing the productivity of a group of family farmers that received credit with the productivity of a group of family farmers that were credit restricted. The groups were constructed with the aid of propensity score matching. When statistically significant, the average effect of credit was found to increase the recipient’s productivity of land and labor. It was also found that productivity increases due to the use of credit aligned with the level of the family farmer’s integration into the commercial market and, therefore, one credit policy does not fit for all Brazilian family farmers.

Brazil’s Agricultural Politics in Africa: More Food International and the Disputed Meanings of “Family Farming”

Brazil’s influence in agricultural development in Africa has become noticeable in recent years. South–South cooperation is one of the instruments for engagement, and affinities between Brazil and African countries are invoked to justify the transfer of technology and public policies. In this article, we take the case of one of Brazil’s development cooperation programs, More Food International (MFI), to illustrate why policy concepts and ideas that emerge in particular settings, such as family farming in Brazil, do not travel easily across space and socio-political realities. Taking a discourse-analytical perspective, we consider actors’ narratives of family farming and the MFI program, and how these narratives navigate between Brazil and three African countries – Ghana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. We find that in Brazil, family farming has multiple meanings that expose contrasting visions of agricultural development as determined by history, geography and class-based power struggles. These multiple meanings are reflected in the disparate ways MFI is portrayed and practiced by Brazilian actors who emphasize commercial opportunity, political advocacy, or technological modernization. We also find that African countries adopt their own interpretations of family farming and MFI, and that these are more attuned with mercantilist and modernization perspectives, and less mindful of Brazil’s domestic political struggles. This has prompted a reaction from those on the Brazilian side fighting for an alternative agricultural development trajectory. The significance of this reaction is yet to be determined.

Contention, ideas, and rules: the institutionalization of family farm policy in Brazil

Brazil stands out from other developing countries by the fact that it created a wide-ranging institutional apparatus to stimulate production in the family farming sector, recognizing its identity and specific demands. Since the middle of the 1990s the Brazilian state has formulated and implemented various public policies for family farming, seeking to adapt these policies to the diversity of segments which exist within this social category. This article seeks to understand why Brazil formulated these policies. To answer these questions we: set an analytical framework based on extensive games theory; and present a narrative of the institutionalization of the National Program for the Strengthening of Family Farming (Programa Nacional de Fortalecimento da Agricultural Familiar), the first (and cornerstone) public policy for family farming in Brazil. It shows the role of contentious politics by the social movements, the significance of ideas to re-interpret the role of family farming, the time dependence of policy processes, and the importance of the challenge of creating new rules.

Les politiques d’appui à l’agriculture familiale au Brésil et au Maroc : quelques éléments de comparaison

No Brasil como no Marrocos, o setor agropecuário é marcado por grandes heterogeneidades em termos de tamanho das unidades, níveis de equipamento, capital e tecnologias produtivas. O artigo compara os processos das políticas de apoio à agricultura familiar nesses dois países, além das suas grandes diferenças. As políticas agrícolas brasileiras propõem desde uns 20 anos um apoio específico às unidades familiares, incluindo a constituição de um ministério dedicado a essa categoria. Diversos dispositivos de apoio aos agricultores familiares foram implementados, em particular um plano de reforma fundiária e de apoio aos projetos de reforma agraria, mecanismos de crédito subsidiado e enfoques integrados do desenvolvimento das áreas marginalizadas. No Marrocos, a principal política atual, o Plano Marrocos Verde, esta fundada em dois pilares: um orientado para as produções intensivas e o outro para as áreas com baixo potencial agropecuário. As políticas públicas brasileiras e marroquinas reconhecem a dualidade do mundo agrícola., mas essa dualidade é definida por área ou por zona no Marrocos, quanto está baseada nas características explicitas das unidades familiares no Brasil. Nos dois países, o coração das politicas para a agricultura familiar tem a ver com a ajuda ao investimento. Além desse coração comum, as políticas no Marrocos se focalizam sobre a integração das pequenas unidades as grandes cadeias agropecuárias. Ademais de esse processo inicial no Brasil, a partir de 2003, enfoques mais pluridimensionais e diversificados foram implantados para apoiar o desenvolvimento dos territórios onde as unidades familiares e as comunidades tradicionais são as mais presentes.

Using an analytic hierarchy process approach to prioritize public policies addressing family farming in Brazil

In Brazil, some see intensive, large-scale production of sugarcane-based ethanol, based on a model of capital and land concentration, as a threat to the survival of family farming. Family farmers are increasingly under pressure to sell or rent land to mills where sugarcane monoculture is expanding. In this context, the government is working to formulate or change public policies in order to support farmer livelihoods in sugarcane growing regions. The present study is based on research conducted in the municipality of Ipiranga de Goiás, Goiás State, Brazil. It employs the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, with participation of stakeholders at federal, state and municipal levels, to support public policy decision-making addressing family farming. The stakeholders prioritize environmental and economic benefits as the most important criteria requiring the attention of policy makers. Also, stakeholders agree that diversification of production is the most appropriate alternative for strengthening family farming. The AHP approach can be the starting point in the formulation of public policies. The approach helps ensure transparency, and it purposefully includes family farmer points of view. Policies derived from this process, therefore, may have a higher likelihood of being supported and accepted by farmers.

NOTA TÉCNICA: CUSTOS DE MANUTENÇÃO PREVENTIVA PARA TRATORES EM FUNÇÃO DO TIPO DE TRAÇÃO E CATEGORIA DO SISTEMA HIDRÁULICO - DOI: 10.13083/1414-3984/reveng.v23n3p270-277

Estimulada por políticas acessíveis de crédito agrícola e busca de melhores condições de trabalho, a agricultura familiar brasileira vem passando por constantes transformações no que diz respeito à utilização de máquinas agrícolas. Nesse cenário, o trator agrícola esta cada vez mais presente, portanto, conhecer o custo de manutenção dessa importante fonte de potência é estratégico para a sustentabilidade econômica das unidades de produção familiares. Devido a esta realidade, objetivou-se com este trabalho determinar os custos relativos a manutenção devido a troca de filtros, lubrificantes e pneus de tratores agrícolas com potência no motor de até 72,9 kW, subdivididos em tipo de tração e categoria do sistema hidráulico. Para a realização deste trabalho foram coletados dados técnicos, preços dos lubrificantes e materiais de substituição periódica. As variáveis quantitativas e qualitativas foram: especificações técnicas - marca, modelo, potência máxima no motor, designação dos pneus, duração e quantidade trocada de filtros, lubrificantes e pneus. Foram analisados 94 modelos, 25 com tração nas duas rodas motrizes e 69 com tração dianteira auxiliar (TDA). Concluiu-se que menores custos médios de manutenção são obtidos em tratores 4x2 e categoria I no sistema hidráulico e maiores custos médios de manutenção são obtidos em tratores 4x2 TDA e categoria II no sistema hidráulico. Os coeficientes de variação encontrados foram altos entre os modelos estudados com custos mínimos e máximos de respectivamente R$ 0,82 e R$ 5,73 (R$ h-1).

A AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR E AS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS : AVALIAÇÃO DOS MUNICÍPIOS DE GUAPOREMA, SÃO TOMÉ, TAPEJARA E TUNEIRAS DO OESTE - PR

This research aims an assessment of the main public policies for family farming in Brazil in the governments of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2006 and 2004-2010) and President Dilma Roussef (2011-2014), re-elected for the term 2015-2018. Among the policies we include: the National Program for Strengthening Family Farming – PRONAF; the Food Acquisition Program - PAA; the National School Feeding Program – PNAE; the National Policy on Technical Assistance and Rural Extension – PNATER; the National Program for Rural Housing– PNHR. We aim to evaluate the reproduction, or not, from these policies in the municipalities of Guaporema, Sao Tome, Tapejara and Tuneiras do Oeste - PR. As analysis methodology we adopted critical/dialectical perspective, and as an investigation methodology we used Quant/Quali perspective, seeking information from primary quantitative and qualitative data, and secondary data from censuses, statistical and research already conducted. In this way we performed theoretical/statistical surveys, and interviews with public representatives of the municipalities surveyed. The results showed that in the four cities there is the presence of these public policies, and that in general they have met the objectives of strengthening family farming, improving people’s living conditions on the rural area, promotion of associations and organizations of farmers, motivation of the permanence of families in rural areas, among other achievements. However, it is also evident the limitations and challenges to overcome in front of each of these actions, especially the extend expansion of programs and compliance with the specificities of the participating groups

Work organization on smallholder dairy farms: a process unique to each farm.

The way smallholder farms organize and carry out work impacts their ability to secure their livelihoods and meet growing demand for agricultural products. This study investigates the way dairy family farms in Brazil manage their workforce to achieve their objectives of production and income. Fifteen smallholder farms were surveyed using the QuaeWork method to understand the work organization on each farm. A high diversity of workloads was found, but these do not appear to be strictly related to the farms' production systems. The high variability of workloads is linked to the available workforce, technical choices, and the delegation of tasks to an external workforce. Farmers can decrease their workload by adopting milking mechanization, silage, hiring labor, and increasing the duration of the work day. Work organization depends on a farmer's personal choices, rendering the whole issue of workforce management a process unique to each farm.

Use of walking tractor powered rotary tiller in no-tillage system1

Brazilian family farming has at its disposal planters whose furrowing mechanisms, whether disc or shank, require a large vertical force. In smaller planters, this is reflected in low efficiency when opening the furrow or in a high demand for mass (weight). Rotary furrowers require less vertical force for the same operation. This study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility and performance of rotary furrowers mounted on the powertrain of a walking tractor working under direct seeding, and compare them with shank-type furrowers using bibliographic data. The parameters used in the comparison were the depth and width of the furrow, the area of disturbed soil and the cross-sectional area of the furrow with no soil after the operation. The experiment was carried out on wheat stubble that had lain fallow for six months. Twelve treatments were employed in a factorial design: three models of rotary furrowers, two values for revolutions per unit of linear displacement, and two forward speeds. The variable, cross-sectional area of the furrow with no soil, was statistically affected only by the factor, furrower. However there was significant interaction between the factors, furrower, revolutions per metre and speed, for the variables of depth, furrow width and area of disturbed soil. The values obtained for the variables of width, depth and disturbed area in the cross-section of the furrows, with the three types of rotary furrowers driven by the powertrain of a walking tractor, were similar to those generated by shank-type furrowers.

The structural heterogeneity of family farming in Brazil

Regional and productive inequality may stem from the agricultural modernization process, in which some agents are able to incorporate and absorb technological content, while others are excluded, not only from the innovative organizational environment, but also from learning processes and the dissemination of new production techniques and knowledge. This paper analyses family farming, by making comparisons in regional terms and by groups of producers using high, medium and low technology. It also calculates the productive inequality index (Gini coefficient of gross income) of the north, north-east, centre-west, south-east and south regions. In view of the regional differentiation, the size of enterprises and the various levels of technological growth, public policies should focus on reducing the disparities that hamper the dissemination of new knowledge and productivity growth among economic agents, leading to greater productive inclusion.