ANÁLISE SITUACIONAL DO ARROZ VERMELHO (Oryza sativa L.) DO VALE DO PIANCÓ, PARAÍBA: UMA REVISÃO

Abstract

The red rice is into category of special rices, that together with another varieties, represents only one percent of nacional rice production. It is a product with a large historic and cultural importance in the northeast semi-arid, specially in Paraiba, at Vale do Piancó region, where its production stands out as the mainly economic activity of region. With a production based on family farming, subsistence, without technology, the red rice has been strongly affected by great droughts and lack of public support. The present research aims to perform a situation analyses of red rice produced in Vale do Piancó, based on existing literature with focused actions to boost and/or protect this gastronomical heritage of Paraiba state. Previous surveys conducted in the Valley have showed that the steps from the plamyard to the commercialization are carried in a rudimentary way, conserving what family farmers consider necessary to maintain the quality of the grain and its typical preparations, for example rice with milk, and the “rubacão” or “arrubacão (mix with rice, bean, meat, butter and milk), that are part the daily meals of Valley native people and another Paraiba people. The red rice is a culture that needs water, but how Piancó Valley is located in a semi arid region the production is irregular because the rainfed regime is used, where the crop is harmed by both the lack and the excess of rain. Without the excedent to commercialization, since the little produces is used to feed their family, farmers lives are of financial difficulties, food insecurity and dependence on brazilian social programs as “bolsa família”. In that context appears production alternatives promising an increase in financial gains, but that are compatible with agribusiness not with the preservation of knowledge and traditional practices.