Águas, energias e alimentos na agricultura familiar do Alto Vale do Jequitinhonha, Minas Gerais

Abstract

The early 2000s in the rural world of Alto Jequitinhonha were marked by an aging population and a reduction in family size, long periods of drought in the rainy season, the drying up of water bodies, and a range of new public policies. This article investigates the relationships between water and energy used in food production in the context of the socioeconomic and environmental changes that have occurred in this region with a strong presence of family farming. The article utilized qualitative research to examine a sample of rural families with varying structures dispersed throughout the region, addressing social, productive, and environmental aspects. The study demonstrates that the difficulties in obtaining water and the ease of access to energy have led to transformations in resource use and work schedule, consumption and the combination of customary and intensive techniques to ensure the continuity of the production and the social group.