The social technology PAIS (Integrated and Sustainable Agroecological Production) and its effectiveness on rural development in the semiarid: the case the of APAOrgani

Abstract

This research was developed in the Sertão de Alagoas, between July 2018 and March 2019, where a group of farmers members of the Producers in Agroecology Association - APAOrgânico, located in the municipality of Pão de Açúcar-AL, was studied. The Association has 29 members, but only 22 of them are active in production into the association. Thus, this study aims to verify the role of social technology PAIS to Producers in Agroecology Association – APAOrgânico, in promoting rural developments in the semiarid region. The chosen methodology was a case study, with an exploratory view configured as qualitative and quantitative (through the application of semi-structured forms with 11 farmers, survey and systematization of secondary data on the theme addressed and also reports about the interviewed farmers). In general, in Pão de Açúcar-AL, 730 people were attended with social technologies (water to drink). It is noticeable, then, that the strengthening of farmers through APAOrgânico has been important in the scenario of sustainable rural development as well as for living with the semiarid region. PAIS technology was responsible for enabling access to technologies facilitated adaptation so that agroecological production was possible, such as mandala production. Without PAIS technology, many farmers would not have the means to produce, as they would not have the tools to capture rainwater neither to capture water from the river for irrigation. Regarding the difference between agroecological and conventional products, 36.36% of farmers reported that quality is the main difference; followed by 27.27% who pointed out price and quality and 27.27% answered others. This is perceived because 54.55% of the interviewed people have already used some type of pesticide while 45.45% have never used it.