The Diversification as a Replacement Strategy over Tobbaco Farming in a Family Property in the Southeastern of Paraná

Abstract

This article presents a case study carried out in a family farm where tobacco crop was an important source of income and it was replaced by other activities. This study took place at the Faxinal Emboque. An economic assessment of one family farm from the Faxinal was done during the 2007-20013 period, through the collection of quantitative data related to all economic activities, including self-consumption. The strategy of farm development was to keep the savings from tobacco crop in order to expand the land and, in the second moment, to diversify the economic activities. The access to commercialization channels and the sustainable use of the forest (faxinal), mainly with the cultivation of erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis), had contributed for the economic sustainability of the farm, as it ensured stable income. The organic production has accounted with most of the farm income. However, conventional production is also part of the system. In 2013, self-consumption represented 10,9% of the total gross margin, thus assuring food security and system stability. The contribution of organic potatoes for the total gross margin is increasing and resulted in gross margins as high as those from tobacco.