Processo decisório de pequenos produtores rurais: o caso do projeto de assentamento dirigido Pedro Peixoto, no Acre

Abstract

Federal and State Government settlement projects are become routine in Acre State; however, due to all sort of social and economic problems, many owners are forced to leave their farms. Any rural development policy should take in account how works farmers decision-making. This work aims to identify the process of producers decision-making at the Projeto de Assentamento Dirigido Pedro Peixoto - PAD (Planned Settlement Project 'Pedro Pei xoto' ), based on their profiles, the social environment and the resources and features allocated to the agricultural production development. Thirty five (35) production units of PAD Pedro Peixoto in Senador Guiomard, Rio Branco and Plácido de Castro counties were analyzed. Direct interview through question forms was used. Enterprise functions (planning, organizing, management) and operations (technical, commercial, financial, accounting and security) were studied. These functions and operations were adapted to the characteristics of local environment and producers. Conclusions are: planning was informal and made as linear organizing, in which producers manage and perform production with the family, having no formal control. Techniques were based on acquired experience, prevailing traditional agriculture. Commercialization was the main limiting factor to the expansion, and occured only in the farm. Monetary resources carne from production sales, out-of-property work, non-agricultural activity and a little from bank loans, but without records. Security operations led to diversification, in order to guarantee food and lessen risks. Different farmers origins, habits, costums, education and technological leveis caused different decision-making, affecting production activities.