Agricultura familiar e ATER: o caso da hortifruticultura nas comunidades do Taquaril e da região do Pentaurea em Montes Claros-MG

Abstract

This work aimed to describe two different forms of rural households production and their relationship with Technical Assistance and Rural Extension service. A case study was carried out on the production of vegetables in the municipality of Montes Claros. Two groups of rural households belonging to the so-called Green Belt of the Taquaril and Pentaurea regions were analyzed. The rural households are taken here as a broad and diverse social category to demonstrate that groups from the same area, with access to apparently similar ATER policies, commercialization, and financing, can present very different responses to these incentives. The investigation adopted open interview and focus group techniques to obtain information. In addition to the historical rescue of the formation and construction of these groups, and their special and social context, the work presents a detailed description of vegetable production and the performance of the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Company of the State of Minas Gerais in Montes Claros. With the results presented, it is hoped to encourage reflections on the need for these specificities to be considered in the exercise of Ater's activities, as well as in the operationalization of development policies aimed at the rural environment.