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Abstract
The agrarian conditions and the low relative levels of the socioeconomic
indicators cause the area of the “High Jequitinhonha Valley”, in
the northeast of the State of Minas Gerais, to be considered one of the most
complex areas of Brazil. For this reason several governanmental administrations
have recommended rural development programs. Most of these
efforts, however, have not produced adequate results. This article analyzes
the relationships between public programs and family farming, making a
survey of the methods and results of the last three decades. It concludes that
there is a need to incorporate the specificities of history, environment and
culture into the rural programs. It is suggested that the programs take into
consideration the experience accumulated by the regional organizations
and be adjusted to the interest and culture of the local family producers.