Programas públicos de abastecimento de água para a agricultura familiar no Vale do Jequitinhonha mineiro

Abstract

This study investigated public programs, actions and initiatives for water supply in municipalities in the three territories and three biomes of the Jequitinhonha Valley in Minas Gerais. Six municipalities were surveyed, two in the Cerrado biome (Upper Jequitinhonha), two in the Caatinga (Middle Jequitinhonha) and two in the Atlantic Forest (Lower Jequitinhonha). The first part of the field research was conducted with public agents from civil society organizations and public bodies that deal directly or indirectly with rural water supply and conservation. The second part was involved family farmers in 12 rural communities in the municipalities surveyed. The research showed that the actions of public bodies and organizations have significant impacts on public programs, techniques and supply conditions, which were reported to be more critical and problematic in rural areas. Supply irregularities and issues in these areas stem from a variety of causes, most of which are environmental, political, socio-economic, administrative and/or political-organizational in nature. Different types and degrees of water supply were identified between and within biomes, territories, municipalities and communities. In these situations, the main programs and actions of civil society organizations and public bodies include rainwater harvesting cisterns, water trucks, barraginhas, community supply systems using artesian wells, rivers, streams and springs. Water supply in communities in the Caatinga biome is more dependent on public programs and socially constructed sources, such as rainwater harvesting cisterns, artesian wells, water trucks and barraginhas, due to the drying up of natural water sources caused by anthropogenic actions, mainly eucalyptus monocultures. In communities where the Atlantic Forest predominates, the greater presence of natural water sources, especially streams and springs, facilitates local water supply solutions and arrangements. However, the advancing consequences of climate impacts and the results of anthropogenic actions, such as eucalyptus monocultures and extensive livestock farming, have been creating situations of water scarcity in these locations, possibly with worse effects on lower-income families, due to the lower capacity of reservoirs, public programs and social technologies. Finally, water for production was shown to be the main bottleneck in family farming and, when this demand is not met, there is a tendency for supply to be individualized, mainly through unsustainable techniques such as artesian wells.