Uma abordagem do impacto da agricultura tradicional sobre a dinâmica demográfica de Moçambique

Abstract

In Mozambique, due to the low level of economic development, traditional agriculture is the main source of food security and sometimes of income. In the production process, this activity relies primarily on family labor and tools, which increases the need for enlargement of the household size and consequently increases the levels of demographic dynamics of the country. The study that follows focuses on traditional agriculture, from the perspective of the interrelationships with the household size of its practitioners, and its impact on demographic dynamics. Thus, it identifies as background, the physiological and socio-cultural aspects of the study area. But first it presents the methodology of the study. The central issue is dealt with in the fourth chapter. It characterizes traditional agriculture, in the time perspective, focusing on its role, access to land, production and orientation. It then interrelates traditional agriculture and household characteristics. It assesses the impact of traditional agriculture on demographic dynamics. The main conclusion drawn from the study is that in the majority of the population practicing traditional agriculture there is a tendency for household size to increase, mainly through natural fecundity, for the following purposes: to increase family labor for subsistence production; to ensure security against risks through the larger number of children; to have prestige in the community; and to increase the network of kinship relation. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)