CROP PRODUCTION IN RURAL SETTLEMENTS OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL:A QUANTITATIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Based on a database developed by Embrapa in a partnership with Incra, the agricultural production taking into account the production of the agricultural years of 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 was evaluated in 148 rural settlements - with 6.611 families - in Rio Grande do Sul, established only by Incra or with the State Government between 1986 and 2003. The findings showed that the settlers produce soybeans, corn, rice, beans, swine, poultry, milk and eggs, mostly with bigger volumes than the average production of similar properties (10 ha to 50 ha) located in the microregions where they belong. However, there are important regional differences among the settlements, probably due to the asymmetries related with infrastructure, soil, climate and the social and economical level of each region, pointing out that Incra must direct its investments to the most needy regions, specially Bagé and Sul.