Grupo associativo na perspectiva de produtores rurais: um estudo de caso na Região Sul de Minas Gerais

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to analyze the meaning that different categories of producers gave to the Associative Group as "a way for the solution of problems concerning the production and comniercialization of ground and cattle raising Products as well as a possible means which could make easier the approach to official technical assistance services and rural credit. One looked for, yet, to confirm the origin, the development and the action of the Associative Group in the perspective of its members dueto the situation that they found thenselves involved. This research was performed in a county located in the South of Minas Gerais during the second semester of 1985. Twenty eight rural producers were interviewed, the same ones that in october 1979 had signed a formalization agreement of an Associaive Group, destined to the solution of regular problems of agricultural activities. The social-economical characterization of the producers that participated in this associative experiment was based on studies carried out by ALENCAR (1), ALENCAR & MOURA FILHO (4), MOLINA FILHO (27), MÜLLER (30), and SORO & WILKINSON (42). For the study about the meaning; that the different social -economi cal categories gave to the Associative Group as means of solution of problems, one used the interpretative analysis. Thisanalysis as well as the Associative Group, was carried from the point of view of the producers and was theoretically based on the following authors: ALENCAR (1); OAKLEY (31); OAKLEY and MARSDEN (32); PAR SONS and SHILS (34); TAYLOR (44). Four social -economical categories of producers were identified. Category I was formed by partners and small family producers with 1ow technological levei and low income levei, approaching to the type of peasant production unit. Category II was made of producers that found themselves in a situation of transition among the small family producers and agricultural enterprises. Category III was formed by capitalist enterprises with high degree of speciaiization and commercialization. The producers whose main source of income came from non-agricultural activities (public functionaries and private firms, tradesmen and independent professionals) were classified at category IV. The interpretative analysis has allowed to infer that there were different meanings imputed to the Associative Group, according to the social-economical categories of the interviewed farmers. From it one noticed: a) for the partners and small producers (category I), the Asso ciative Group would be a way of getting soil sources and funds necessary for their modernization, such assignment that for the agreement, the groüp did not offer to perform. Relating to the mediun and great producers the Associative Group would have the function of helping them to increase their profit rate through the reduction of production costs and commercialization costs; b) the associates of the Associative Group understood, the group as a means of revealing leaderships and represent them mainly on the promulgation of the agricultural 1aw which could permit the formularization of a realist politics for the sector, detaching specific programs of support to the small rural producers; c) the existence of the Associative Group did not influence the approach to public services that, second the partners and small producers was di scrimi natory concerning the rural credit; d) having in view the characters of the problems and identified causes the interviewed persons did not consider themselves skilled to solve them due to adverse interests within the group and the unfavourable governmental policy to the sector, even though they have recognized the necessity of an associa tive organization; e) the formation of the Associative Group did not consider nor the differences among their components an their interests when taking combined decisions; f) the components of the Associative Group recognized the importance of its existence for the discussion of problems ofsupply of the study área, making easier the reciprocai information and the reíationship with the technicians of the institutions that give support to the agriculture; g) one concluded that the composing dissimilar form of the Associ ative Group, the tutorship character of the outer agents, the individualism, the immediathism, the suspicion, among other manifestations have contributed for this experience was not succeful; h) the outer agents started from the presupposed of homogeneity of the Associative Group. But during their performance one became evident the significative differences into them, make difficult the solution of problems from an educative and participant process; i) the rising perspective imputed to the members of the Associa tive Group is based on the organization of group for the econômica! defense and a representation of category for these producers with the interests and for young people whose vision of the problems stands on another reality