O nível de escolaridade interfere no uso de agrotóxico pela agricultura familiar no semiárido brasileiro?

Abstract

This study analyzed the influence of education level on pesticide use by family farming in the Brazilian Semi-arid region. Education, as a social indicator, directly impacts the adoption of agricultural practices, including the use of chemical inputs. The research was based on data from the 2017 Agricultural Census conducted by IBGE, using information from the SIDRA system, focusing on rurais establishments in the Semi-arid region. Family farming, responsible for 77% of rurais establishments in Brazil, plays an important role in sustainable practices, especially in regions with challenging climates, such as the Semi-arid, which covers 12% of the national territory and is home to about 28 million people. The results showed that 76.23% of rural establishments in the Semi-arid region do not use pesticides, exceeding the national average of 66.34%. States such as Maranhão, Bahia, and Piauí had the highest rates of non-use, while Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, and Paraíba showed greater pesticide use. Furthermore, education level was found to influence these practices: in the Semi-arid region, many establishments managed by illiterate individuals did not use pesticides, suggesting a possible relationship between low education levels and reduced chemical usage. Within family farming, a similar pattern was observed: 76.41% of family-run establishments in the Semi-arid region do not use pesticides, with Maranhão, Bahia, and Piauí standing out. The research indicates that, despite high illiteracy rates among farmers, especially in the Northeast, agricultural practices with lower chemical dependency prevail, influenced by socioeconomic factors, access to information, and local characteristics. These findings highlight the importance of public policies that consider farmers' education levels to promote the safe and conscious use of pesticides, aiming at environmental sustainability, public health, and the strengthening of family farming.