Diagnóstico socioeconômico e do manejo da cultura da banana de agricultores e agricultoras no Vale do Açu – RN

Abstract

Banana cultivation is considered a strategic agricultural activity in Brazil, with significant importance in the Northeast and Southeast regions. The Vale do Açu, located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, stands out as one of the main production hubs. This study aimed to present a socioeconomic and cultural practices diagnosis of banana producers in the municipalities of Assú, Ipanguaçu, Carnaubais, and Alto do Rodrigues. The research was conducted as part of the extension project "Building Knowledge on Banana Cultivation in the Vale do Açu," developed by IFRN in partnership with EMATER-RN, FUNCERN, and the Banco do Nordeste. The methodology included on-site visits to banana producers and the application of structured questionnaires via Google Forms. The results indicated a predominance of small and medium-sized producers, mostly family-run operations, facing challenges related to credit access, technical assistance, and commercialization. It is concluded that the sustainability and growth of banana cultivation in the microregion depend on effective coordination between producers and public and technical institutions, thereby strengthening family farming and promoting rural development in the semi-arid region of Rio Grande do Norte.