Economic viability of productive backyard gardens in agrarian reform settlements in southeastern Pará

Abstract

This study aims to investigate how the integration of sustainable practices can contribute to strengthening the economic structure of rural settlements, guaranteeing their productive autonomy and expanding their contribution to sustainable development. It is based on the assumption that the viability of these systems depends not only on monetary income, but also on indirect benefits such as self-sufficiency and reduced expenses. Methodologically, a descriptive approach was adopted, based on observable gross revenue per item, considering only data with quantity and price, due to the absence of systematic records of costs and profits. The results show that the backyards present high productive diversity, including fruit trees, processing, and small-scale livestock farming. However, the generation of monetary income tends to be concentrated in a few higher value-added items, such as pulps and derivatives, with acerola pulp standing out in the Nova Vitória Settlement Project. In the backyards of the Deus te Ama Settlement Project, a larger productive scale and strong participation of products such as flour, pineapple, and pulps are observed. At the Nova Canaã Camp, the system is in the implementation phase, without observable revenue generation. The analysis demonstrates that productive diversity ensures flexibility, food security, and resilience, while processing and insertion into local markets boost income. Possible trade-offs are also identified, since commercial intensification can reduce diversity and compromise the social functions of the backyard. It is concluded that productive backyards are strategic systems, whose analysis should integrate economic, social, and environmental dimensions, valuing both monetary income and indirect benefits.