ESTABLISHMENT AND PRODUCTIVE RESTRUCTURING OF IRRIGATED FRUIT FARMING IN LOW-ACU AND APODI VALLEY - MOSSORO-RN - BRASIL

Abstract

The resolution of problems arising from water deficiency in the Northeast semiarid region has been carried out through mainly the construction of hydraulic works. In the state of Rio Grande do Norte, five dams were built, in particular the Armando Ribeiro Goncalves Dam, which allowed the perpetuation of the lower course of the Acu River, enabling and stimulating the development of irrigated fruit farming, an activity that has been explored by capitalized farmers and agricultural industries. In the same area, the Oswaldo Amorim Public Irrigated Perimeter was partially implemented, whose use is far removed from the goals initially announced. In the Apodi-Mossoro Valley, irrigated fruit farming was developed by large companies, with the use of water taken from the Jandaira and Acu aquifers through artesian wells. For the research, we conducted a survey of secondary data, bibliographic and documentary research and interviews with leaders of institutions and companies related to fruit farming, as well as fruit farmers of the Low-Acu and Apodi-Mossoro Valley. We noted that these locations witnessed the establishment of fruit farming in a period of short time, and this activity has undergone significant restructuring in the 2000s due to requirements imposed by importing. The Acu-Mossoro Integrated Development Center was established by Banco do Nordeste do Brasil in the late 1990s, and has stood out in the production of melon, watermelon, banana, mango and papaya to supply the domestic and export markets.