Vale do desenvolvimento para quem? O índice de desenvolvimento rural (IDR) e os projetos de irrigação na agricultura do submédio São Francisco.

Abstract

In the Brazilian semiarid region, economic development has been driven by public irrigation projects, especially in the Submédio São Francisco region, where these projects have transformed agricultural production, land tenure, crop types, and the labor market. This study investigates the impact of irrigation projects on the rural development of family farming in the Submédio São Francisco region, using the Rural Development Index (RDI), focused on the municipalities of Orocó, Petrolândia, Petrolina, Juazeiro, Santa Maria da Boa Vista, and Casa Nova. The study compares family and non-family farming in these municipalities. Among the methods used are characterization of the areas, survey of irrigation projects, bibliographic review, and analysis of RDI indicators in order to understand the effects of irrigation projects on rural development, the distribution of projects, and the differences in RDI among municipalities. Through the data, we observed that the municipalities have different classifications in the RDI. Orocó (PE) leads with the highest value classified with a high level of classification in the IDR, together with Santa Maria da Boa Vista (PE), Casa Nova (BA) and Petrolina (PE), with intermediate values. Petrolândia (PE) and Juazeiro (BA) are classified as medium level, with a greater differentiation in IDR indicators. Irrigation serves with greater intensity family farming in the municipalities of Orocó (PE), Petrolândia (PE) and Santa Maria da Boa Vista (PE) and non-family farming in the municipalities of Casa Nova (BA), Juazeiro (BA) and Petrolina (PE). There is a relevant complexity of the impacts of irrigation projects in the region and the importance of public policies and sustainable practices to guarantee rural development and the preservation of natural resources. The results point to significant changes in the economic and social dynamics, with fruit growing becoming the main economic activity. In addition, the need for sustainable management of water resources is highlighted, considering the environmental impacts and conflicts arising from the appropriation of water for irrigation.