Leading information sources to the farmers Decision Making Process of the “Freedom’s Conquest” (Conquista da Liberdade) Settelment

Abstract

Decision making and rationality in the scope of family agriculture are closely linked in many studies about small farmers’ development, which have social and economic importance to Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of information sources on the farmers’ decision making process from “Conquista da Liberdade” (Freedom’s Conquest) settlement, in Piratini county, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The work was based on questionnaires and spreadsheet software was used to analyze data. Milk is the main product sold by most families which generates a fixed income in a context of area limitation. EMATER is considered an important extension agent to farmers' decisions. TV programs, lectures and courses in the area as well as experience accounts in most part to the decision making. Analyzing information sources in the decision making of farmers can facilitate the access to them and the communication process.