The livelihoods and life conditions in the rural space: the case of the families of tobacco producers in Arroio do Tigre (RS) and Laranjeiras do Sul (PR)

Abstract

This paper aims at establishing an analysis starting from the reality of family farmers producing tobacco of two towns, namely: Arroio do Tigre, Rio Grande do Sul and Laranjeiras do Sul, Paraná. The central idea is to demonstrate, from the analysis of the conditions and livelihoods, that heterogeneity is a striking feature of the Brazilian rural, since its productive organization until socioeconomic diversity, particularly in typical tobacco regions. This work has theoretical and methodological bases in the Capability Approach of Amartya Sen and Diversification of Livelihoods Frank Ellis approach which deal with human development and living conditions beyond the aspect income and productivity. To capture these features, methodologically two research instruments were used; the result of these searches has yielded two indices: the Index of Livelihoods (IMV) and the Living Condition Index (LCI). A comparative analysis of data occurred in this instance. The results showed that even when dealing only tobacco producers is necessary to consider the diversity of families and local and regional demands, recognizing the heterogeneity of economic, environmental, social, human and physical aspects of rural areas, not limited to prospect technical-productive. Still, this diversity observed in the livelihoods of families surveyed in both counties - which refer, amongst others the degree of diversification in properties, satisfaction with tobacco production, the motivations that have led to invest in this production - alert to the need for understanding and recognition of this diversity by political regional and rural development and, in particular, the policies of diversification in tobacco-producing areas.