Assentamentos rurais cearenses: a realidade da lagoa do capim.

Abstract

On the basis of the characteristics found in rural settlements in the state of Ceará, this research is based on the following questions: how are seated families in Ceará developing their strategies of socioeconomic reproduction, especially in agricultural and non agricultural activities? What are the main limitations and potentialities present in these spaces? And who are the sub jects involved in this process? In an attempt to answer these questions, a specific case study was carried out in the Lagoa do Capim settlement, located in São Luís do Curu, in the west coast of Ceará. The choice of this settlement is due to the presence o f pluriactive families in the locality, that is, those in which its members associate agricultural activities with other branches or sectors of the economy, adopting different social and productive strategies. The objective of this work is to characterize how settled families have been developing their strategies of socioeconomic reproduction from agricultural and non agricultural activities. The methodological course was based on a qualitative approach, based on the case study carried out in natural enviro nments. For the data collection, visits were made to the settlement, with the purpose of interviewing the representatives of each family, and the results of the research were subjectively discussed. It was observed that, even with the problem of water scar city in the area, the main activities developed by the farmers are the planting of corn, beans and some fruit trees in productive farms. The families are of rural origin, beneficiaries of social programs and with some incidence of retirees among its member s. Many of their individuals, especially the younger ones, work off farm in agricultural or non agricultural activities to supplement family income. Among non agricultural activities, those related to local commerce, outsourcing or services in other proper ties and to informality by the sale of the workforce in rural areas prevail.