Revista IDEAS (Dec 2011)
A exploração do pequi na região norte de Minas Gerais: abordagem por meio do Sistema Agroalimentar Localizado
Abstract
The aim of the present work is the analysis of pequi extraction from North of Minas Gerais using the Agro-food Local Productive Systems (ALPS) approach, by the organization of growers and companies grouped by characteristics and functional areas in a specific region. The pequi fruit (Caryocar brasiliense), found in closed vegetation areas, is explored mainly in extractive manners. This exploration is an important socioeconomic activity for the people in north region of the state, which is devoid of modern systems and dynamic economic activities, with a low human development index. The north region of Minas Gerais was responsible for 25% of the national production of this fruit in 2009. In this context, the analysis of the aforementioned ALPS indicates several barriers to overcome: the precarious regional integration, impacting productivity, limiting access to raw inputs and outflow of products derived from pequi, precarious transmission systems, distance to large consumer cities, and the exoticity of this fruit bound to a unique territorial identity, which creates a particular form of product marketing.
