Segurança alimentar e nutricional dos agricultores familiares e seus condicionantes no assentamento Campo Verde, Terenos (MS)

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the food and nutritional security of family farmers in the Campo Verde settlement, Terenos-MS. It is a quantitative-qualitative study, with field research. Visits were conducted and a semi-structured questionnaire was applied, with questions about socioeconomic profile, production profile and food profile. The research included 31 participants, mostly women, married, and over 41 years old. Most families have resided in the area for more than 10 years, with Family units of up to four people. Housing conditions were rated as good or excellent by most respondents, with access to electricity, well water, and basic goods. However, limitations in sanitation persist, such as the predominant use of septic tanks and the burning of inorganic waste. Access to healthcare exists but is hampered by distance and the temporary deactivation of the local health unit, forcing travel to other settlements or cities. In terms of food, a relatively healthy pattern was observed, based on traditional foods, with low consumption of ultra-processed foods. Despite this, there is a strong dependence on purchasing food in the city, especially grains, indicating low land use for subsistence production. Agricultural production is limited, with livestock farming predominating and land use mainly for pasture. There is low productive diversification, little product processing, and reduced participation in institutional programs such as PNAE and PAA. Although the plots are of adequate size for family farming, factors such as water scarcity, lack of technical assistance, and structural limitations in the production. Regarding food security, most families have security, with few cases of mild or moderate insecurity, generally associated with income sharing among multiple families on the same plot. In the field of agroecology, many participants do not formally know the concept, but adopt compatible practices, such as the use of manure, natural pest control, and the absence of pesticides. The study shows that, despite relatively adequate basic living conditions, the settlement faces structural challenges that limit agricultural production, food autonomy, and the permanence of new generations in the countryside. This reinforces the need for public policies focused on technical assistance, incentives for diversified production, strengthening of cooperatives, and expansion of access to government programs, aiming to promote food sovereignty and food security for settled families.