O Futuro da Fumicultura O Jovem Rural e o Dilema da Sucessão Geracional

Abstract

The dilemma of generational succession in family agriculture has been widely discussed by academic theorists. However, little is said about young people in the tobacco production chain. Despite the prominence of tobacco production in the country and the increase in the number of producers, due to the increase in the price of the product, Brazilian tobacco production originated mainly from family farming, and may have its results affected by the lack of a new generation of farmers. In this way, this article aims to understand the reasons that lead the rural youth to abandon the cultivation of tobacco. To this end, the Chayanovian perspective of non-capitalist systems was taken as the basis, as well as the dynamics perceived in the national context. Through interviews focused on the qualitative approach with young people between 15 and 30 years of age, of booth sexes and educational level, it was possible to identify the main factors that motivate young people to leave the field. These factors were divided into two categories: a) social context and b) economic context. The results compose with Chayanov’s (1985) view, in which the aversion to tobacco cultivation occurs due to the excruciating work day attributed to culture. In this sense, the social context was perceived with main factor to the abandonment of the tobacco farming. In addition, it has also been shown that in the economic context there is disbelief on the part of young people that small-scale farming has the financial capacity to provide for their livelihood in the future.

Keywords

• family farming
• fumiculture
• generational succession
• young rural woman