O contributo da agricultura camponesa na garantia da segurança alimentar no posto administrativo de Manhiça, 1993-2004

Abstract

The study of the "Contribution of Peasant Agriculture in Guaranteeing Food Security in the Administrative Post of Manhiça, 1993-2004" is the central theme of this dissertation. The work aims to contribute to the understanding of the role of peasant agriculture in guaranteeing food conditions for families whose survival depends on their agricultural production. For this purpose, written sources were consulted in various libraries and institutions in the city and province of Maputo, with a specific approach to peasant agriculture and food security. Pre-existing production statistics were collected in the Manhiça DDA, complemented by semi-structured (individual and collective) and structured interviews in the field, which made it possible to analyse the diversity of data and opinions of the interviewees on production, consumption, size of the fields, type of crops, commercialisation, etc. The information collected allowed us to see that peasant agricultural production is influenced by climatic conditions. Food production was low due to the occurrence of natural disasters (floods or droughts) and also plagues, theft, etc. The cultivation of small portions of land also limited the amount of crops available for family consumption. Therefore, about 16.6% of the interviewees did not have reserves for one month and 44.4% had reserves for 2 to 4 months, the rest of the time being lived under food insecurity. Survival was ensured by gain-win, purchase of food in the markets, remittances from migrant labour, gifts by family and friends, etc. Gain-gain was the most practised survival strategy, contributing to the consolidation of social differentiation among peasants and the perpetuation of the dependence of poor peasants on the rich.(TRADUÇAO NOSSA)