Estratégias de diversificação de sustento rural dos produtores rurais da rota das salamarias de Marau-RS

Abstract

Considering the difficulties faced by rural producers with small farms - such as external shocks and economic trends - it is necessary to find a way of increasing their livelihoods and of ensuring that they remain with their families in the rural environment. As such, this dissertation aims to apply a framework, elaborated by Frank Ellis (2000) and adapted by Padilha (2009), to understand the process of rural livelihood diversification. The research was carried out through a multi-case study with a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory character, and there was collection of data between June and August 2016. The framework was applied to five families from the Salamarias Route with the objective of identifying the reasons that led them to diversify their productive activities, as well as to map the capitals and raise the contexts that interfere and modify their access. Also, we sought to understand the results of the rural diversification strategies implemented. After analyzing the data, it was observed that the members of the Salamarias Route diversified their activities, finding in rural tourism a new source of income and opportunity, having succeeded in remaining in their properties. Thus, tourism in rural areas has been found to be a viable alternative for diversification, and the experience of the Salamarias Route can serve as an example for the development of other regions.