Caracterização da atividade leiteira em Unidades de Produção Familiar Agroecológicas, no município de Morro Redondo, Rio Grande do Sul.

Abstract

Agroecological livestock farming, especially dairy farming, is emerging and its growth is progressive. The general objective of this research is to characterize the dairy activity in Agroecological Family Production Units in the city of Morro Redondo/RS. Five farming families from the city of Morro Redondo/RS participated in the case study. The characterization was supported by qualitative research, with the application of semi-structured interviews. When processing the data, the deductive analytical method was chosen, which sought the relationship between the practice reported by the producers and the theoretical framework of the action to the pre-established analytical dimensions: (1) socioeconomic profile; (2) property size and land use; (3) animal husbandry; (4) animal health; (5) milking; (6) nutrition; (7) ambiance; (8) agroecosystem; and (9) activity management. The milk produced in the investigated Units is the product of an agro diverse system, obtained from Jersey cows and their crosses, raised on pasture with supplementation and the use of homeopathy and phytotherapy is observed. In contrast to the standard of technology and production scale expected from the activity, the practices reproduced are guided by the aptitude of the family, the place and the animals, and in the face of the imposed productive challenge, they are consistent with the low production scale that is not considered a limiting factor. to the viability of the dairy activity in the properties. Evolving socioproductive transformations in changing the ecological base of dairy farming, without making the coexistence of a multiplicity of agricultural systems invisible, requires uncovering the experience of agroecological producers who persist with their dairies, in order to see them in fact, as they are and how they are potentially existing.