Degradação ambiental e condições socioecômicas do município de Vitória do Mearim – Maranhão

Abstract

This study evaluates the current preservation and degradation stage of agronomic systems and economic-social conditions of the rural population in Vitória do Mearim County in Maranhão State, Brazil, trying to identify the possible factors responsible for those dynamics. It was selected 14 groups in different parts of Vitória do Mearim in order to guarantee the representation of the sample which was composed by 136 families in all those places. The research was done in the period between February and December 2004. The results showed low living standards in the rural sector of Vitória do Mearim County. We also observed a strong pressure of human activities over the land. As a result it was observed the reduction of yield capacity of those lands, low level of family income, low level of living standard, which increase the poverty for all the rural families living in those places. In order to brake down this poverty cycle and reduce natura resource degradation, it is necessary to implement rural activities and technologies capable to increase productivity of labor and land, so these adapted technologies will contribute to increase the net income for those families. A fundamental condition for these new technologies is that they must be based in agriculture with ecological basis, including research, environmental education, technical assistance and rural extension.