Rice and cassava in the Baixada Maranhense microrregion: Contrasts in production and their socioeconomic impacts

Abstract

Agricultural production in the micro-region of Baixada Maranhense is mostly made up of family farming and has more than three-thirds of its area devoted to the cultivation of rice and cassava, however, in recent years, contrasts and declines have been observed in the area and in the production of both crops. Thus, this article aims to analyze the socioeconomic impacts resulting from the contrast in the production of rice and cassava crops in the micro-region of Baixada Maranhense.The research was based on the historical and dialectical materialism method, in addition, the bibliography specialized in the subject was used and, with the quantitative approach, secondary data and tabulation software, making of maps and graphs were used. The results obtained show the Baixada Maranhense as the micro-region that concentrates the largest number of people employed in family farming and the largest production of crops related to self-sustainment in the state, and even so, the opportunities are currently reflected in the participation of small farmers in the new sales channels. Finally, there is evidence of the relative increase in production and area destined to the cultivation of cassava in relation to rice cultivation, as a result of problems with the limitation of arable land belonging to small farmers.