O papel do sector familiar na comercialização agrícola no baixo Limpopo - distrito de Xai-Xai, 1987 – 2005

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to analyse the contribution of the family sector to the commercialisation of agricultural production and to understand the interaction that this sector establishes with the commercial sector and other actors in the agricultural production and commercialisation system in the Lower Limpopo. The agricultural production of the family sector was integrated into the colonial economy through the commercialisation of agricultural production, mainly by the rural cantineiros, which allowed for the placement of production in the market and the monetisation of the rural economy. The massive departure of rural cantineiros at the time of independence disintegrated the rural commercial network. In this context, the country's economy was centralised in the State and, consequently, agricultural commercialisation was officially conducted through AGRICOM, a state-owned company. From 1985 onwards, the first trade liberalisation measures began to be taken, which came to be embodied by the PRE in 1987. Although the programme adjusted the prices of agricultural products to production costs, it adversely affected the production of the family sector, because agricultural commercialization became heavily dependent on market conditions, particularly with regard to price oscillations, demand and supply. This situation was aggravated by the withdrawal of the state company for agricultural marketing and with it the market information and minimum reference prices for the family sector. On the other hand, the paralysis of the agro-processing industries discouraged peasant agricultural production for the market. Although there have been improvements in agricultural production, there is no agricultural marketing system that guarantees regular demand for family sector agricultural production, and this activity is carried out by informal resellers, to the detriment of the involvement of the formal or state private sector.(TRADUÇAO NOSSA)