Desertificação e pobreza: existe um equilíbrio de baixo nível?

Abstract

this paper studies the relationships between desertification and poverty in the Brazilian semiarid. The analysis methodology used socioeconomic data and productivity of maize and beans for Ceara. It’sperformed a comparative approach between municipalities considered most susceptible to desertification in relation to municipalities less likely. The results show the negative impact of desertification in the production and productivity of crops in the municipalities most susceptible to the phenomenon, as well as suggest an influence on the lower GDP growth. The drop in production and productivity is a result of natural conditions as well as the use of agricultural techniques that contribute significantly to the process of desertification, such as deforestation and burning, which tend to increase poverty levels. The results indicate the existence of a balance between variables and can be considered low level, requiring efficient public policies, including economic variables, technical and social, as noted in the Program Development Hydroenvironmental - PRODHAM of Ceara, to break such equilibrium condition, and promote higher levels of income and environmental quality.