Atividade agrícola e recursos naturais na região sob influência do Reservatório da Hidrelétrica de Itutinga/Camargos (MG)

Abstract

This work was carried out with the objective of evaluating by using questionnaires both agricultural activity and natural resources in 50 farms in the region under influence of the Itutinga/Camargos (MG) hydroelectric plant. The selection of the interviewed farmers was based upon the high intensity reconnaissance soils survey of the region. It showed that 96% of the farmers are the owners of the lands; 70% are above 40 years old and 60% have lived on the farm for over 20 years. 94% of the farmers are administered by the owner. In 96% of the farms paid services are required to do the farming. Most of the farmers (96%) invést their own money in their properties. 70% of the farmers have no technical assistance although 84% show themselves open to it. Only 24% of the farmers are cooperative associates but 32% are not. The principal industry of the region is the dairy activity, whereas the main farming products are corn, beans and rice, although they are viewed just as liveli-hood products. Soil preparation practices for cultivation include only one plowing and one harrowing performed through paid services. Most of the soil fertility management is made by planting fertilization whithout any soil analysis and previous use of liming and corrective phosphated fertilization. Soil conservation practices are rarely adopted what contributes to the intense erosion process in the region. The vegetation of the área is made up mostly of native pastures, being the native and formed forests less important. Reforestation was considered by the farmers as a good practice as long as the seedlings are available. The water springs were found to be protected, enough and of good quality. From these results it is concluded that in the order to ensure the energetic potential of the Itutinga/Camargos reservoir for our and future generations it is necessary to develop a conservation policy, capable of furnishing technical, economic and administrative conditions to the farms, which allows them to develop their agro-forest-pasture activities with the least environmental impact.