Socioeconomic profile of cassava flour producers: a study on Vila de Igarapé-Açu, Capitão Poço, Pará, Brazil
Samara Ketely Almeida de Sousa1*, Helen Patrícia Moreira Negrão1, Letícia do Socorro Cunha2, Thiago Feliph Silva Fernandes3, Júlia Karoline Rodrigues das Mercês3, Wanderson Cunha Pereira4, Edmilson Barbosa do Nascimento1, Marlon Sheldon da Silva Galdino1 and Amanda Catarine Ribeiro da Silva1
1 Federal Rural University of the Amazon, Capitão Poço, PA, Brazil
2 State University of Western Paraná, Marechal Cândido Rondon, PR, Brazil
3 Paulista State University Júlio Mesquita de Filho, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
4 Federal University of Pará, Bragança, PA, Brazil
Abstract
The objective of this work was to characterize the socioeconomic profile of cassava flour producers, in Vila de Igarapé-Açu, Capitão Poço, Pará, Brazil. The research involved quali-quantitative methods. To this end, 45 semi-structured questionnaires were applied to all producers of manioc flour in the Vila. The questions were asked in order to obtain information about the producers’ socioeconomic profile, such as: place of birth, age, education level and sources of income. The majority of respondents, about 69%, are from the village and only 31% are from other nearby locations, mainly from the municipality of Ourém, to which the village had belonged a few years ago. Regarding the age of the interviewed producers, there was a variation between 18 and 86 years, which provides a range of 68 years. The level of education among producers is considered low, since the majority, corresponding to 73%, has not completed elementary school. About 64% earn their income entirely through the production of manioc flour. The community has the majority of Vila’s natural flour producers, with a predominant age group between 41 and 50 years old. In addition, cassava flour production is the main source of income for most of the majority of respondents.
Highlighted Conclusions
1. Most producers are from the community itself.
2. The age range of producers is 68 years old.
3. The level of education is low.
4. Flour production is the main source of income for family farmers. (more…)