Avaliação do impacto do programa nacional de fortalecimento da agricultura familiar (PRONAF) na qualidade de vida de jovens agricultores familiares paraibanos

Abstract

Mass migration of man from the countryside to cities throughout the second half of the twentieth century, in a sense, relates to the lack of public policies for rural areas and increasing investment in the urban setting, back-feeding the vicious cycle of urban chaos and little development of small towns and camps inside the country. In order to improve the living conditions of family farmers and peasants set in the countryside in 1999 was implemented the National Program to Strengthen Family Agriculture - PRONAF. In 2004, new credit lines were established, among them, PRONAF young man who is a special category to encourage youth to stay in rural areas. It is intended for children of farmers between 16 and 29 years and aims to promote the future of Brazilian agriculture and combating rural depopulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of this program on the quality of life (QVS) and subjective well-being (BES) of the young recipients, comparing them with a natural control group, as well as their conditions of life and work, considering the environmental conditions they face. The QVS is how the individual assesses his position in life in its cultural context and socio-economic and in relation to their expectations and goals. BES refers to how people evaluate their lives, composed by a set of emotional responses, the balance of positive affect and negative, about the cognitive and life satisfaction of the individual. There were 400 subjects, 200 residents in the hinterland and 200 residents of the swamp Paraiba, evenly distributed by gender. We used the WHOQOL-Bref, to assess the QVS, the scale of life satisfaction and affect scale, to assess the BES, all adapted and validated for this population. Data collection was performed in their homes and workplaces, and observing the ethical principles regarding research with human beings. The results indicate satisfactory levels of QVS and BES among young farmers, but there is no significant impact PRONAF on these constructs. Yet the program was evaluated positively by both non-beneficiaries and the benefit that point improvement in living conditions and work. It was found that PRONAF Young has reached the target audience to which it is intended in the regions studied. Being released mainly by unions and associations, access to credit was considered easy by most. The applicability of resources happens differently between residents in the wetlands, which invest in dairy cattle, and in the dry zone, which apply in crafts. The payment of the benefit has been or is being carried out without difficulty by the majority. The impact of PRONAF should be considered, however this is insufficient to ensure proper enforcement of the objectives proposed by the program. Despite positive influence on your audience, this is not enough to transform the reality of young farmers. This study seeks to contribute to an assessment of the impacts of PRONAF, in order to improve the implementation of state investments. Also, try to reflect on the actual conditions under which young people are currently living residents in the field besides the expansion of the theoretical and scientific studies for the rural environment and more specifically to psychology, with theoretical foundations for understanding the environment and Brazilians who live in rural areas.