Analysis of the environmental performance of a rural settlement in the northeastern semi-arid region

Abstract

Agricultural activities are directly related to sustainable development. In this sense, one must seek a harmonious relationship among the productive activities and the conservation of the environment, to ensure the rural producer profitability of its investments and environmental sustainability of the natural resources. The objective of this study was to measure and analyze the environmental sustainability of the Assentamento Associação Familiar da Agricultura da Primavera, Baraúnas/RN, through the methodology developed by the Bank of the Northeast of Brazil. To achieve this goal have been applied questionnaires to the producers of that Community. The farmers make use of some measures beneficial to the environment (use of organic fertilizers; use of protective equipment when it is applied the pesticides; soil protection measures), however, existing practices as the use of water brackish water in irrigation, the indiscriminate burning of solid waste and the use of alternative energies end up decreasing the environmental sustainability of the study area. The environmental performance of the settlement was classified as medium, with index of 60,7%. There is a need for technical assistance to producers to be eliminated the harmful environmental practices and, consequently, increase the environmental performance.