Análise sócio-econômica do projeto de irrigação Morada Nova-CE, em relação à estratégia do desenvolvimento rural integrado

Abstract

The Morada Nova irrigation project is located in the Banabuiu River Valley within the limits of Morada Nova and Limoeiro municipios (counties). This area can be considered one of the most developed segments of the Northeast 's semi-arid agricultural sector. Here, one finds a modern capital and technology-intensive production structure geared to meet market demands. This study aims at analyzing the Morada Nova. Project as compared to an Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP). Such a comparison is especially important when one takes into account the fact that the IRDP approach has been successfully adopted by various contries. It should be pointed out that the IRDP strategy aims at providina an improvement in the agricultural and non-agricultural empioyment level, through an integration among the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors within the rural environment. This strategy is promoted as a means toward reducing the absolute poverty level and simultaneously, promoting an even income distribution pattern anong Communities in the hinterland. In order to accomplish the desired comparison, the diagnosis of the present status of Morada Nova project was ponfronted with the basic assumptions of an IRDP. This owed the identification of a number of variables which mevent the Morada Nova project from being considered as IRDP, specifically: (a) Geographical area of project not compatible aith the minimum requirements of an IRDP; (b) secondary sector practically non-existent; (c) high percentage of outside hired labor; (d) lack of inter-institutional integration. In addition, it was found that, should the Morada Nova project really be included in an IRDP context, one must admit that at least the environs of the project fully meet the requirements of what would be considered a “priority Area".