Characterization of the pequi production chain in the extreme north of Tocantins

Abstract

The pequi fruit (Caryocar brasiliense) is of great importance for the diet of traditional, urban communities and family farmers who have this extractive activity as an important source of income, as is the case in the municipality of Araguatins/TO. To analyzing the extractive activity of pequi is necessary to understand the participation of this production chain in the family income composition and in the strategy of social reproduction of agriculture. Thus, the objective of this article is to characterize the pequi production in the extreme north of Tocantins (municipality of Araguatins and nearby rural communities). This research has a quantitative and qualitative approach, of an applied nature. According to its objectives, it is characterized as descriptive research, and, according to its procedures, it is a case study. For data collection, through prior convenience sampling, standardized interviews were carried out in the municipality and nearby rural communities, as well as in some neighborhoods and sectors (Vila Nova Araguatins, Vila Miranda, Vila Cidinha, Avenida Araguaia, Feira Ecosol, Feira Municipal) and in the Transaraguaia, Macaúba and Mata-Velha communities, where 59 people were interviewed. It was found that the pequi fruit consumed and sold is almost entirely collected in Araguatins, and is an important source of income for analyzed families in the research. In general, it is concluded that the pequi extractive chain in Araguatins/TO, under the conditions explored, constitutes a source of income with the potential to be organized, for example, through a cooperative. Thus, the supply of products based on the fruit will be a way to value and diversify production.