Family farming in the highlands, north and northwest regions of Rio de Janeiro: determinants of the income generation process

Abstract The aim of this paper is to study the perspectives of family farming in serrana, north and northwest regions in Rio de Janeiro state by identifying the determinants of farm income. This paper performs a literature review about family farming in Brazil and the way it has been developing in serrana, north and northwest regions of Rio de Janeiro, showing its economic importance. Aiming to analyze the determinants of farm income, the paper uses multiple regression analysis based on data from the BNDES/UFscar/Cresol research project “Studies to guide new agricultural business opportunities, collective investment and alternative marketing possibilities”. The regression results show that the use of technical assistance by farmers, their participation in rural cooperatives, the area of these establishments and the increase in the years of schooling of the agricultural producer boost the generation of gross income. Therefore, it can be said that public policies that focus on the development of family agriculture should include aspects that involve the education and training of rural producers, as well as encourage participation in rural cooperatives and the use of technical assistance.

摘要 本研究旨在通过识别农场收入的影响因素，探讨巴西里约热内卢州（Rio de Janeiro state）山地、北部及西北部区域家庭农场的发展前景。本文首先针对巴西家庭农场开展文献综述，梳理其在该州山地、北部及西北部区域的发展脉络，并阐明其经济重要性。为分析农场收入的影响因素，本研究采用多元回归分析法，依托BNDES/UFscar/Cresol联合研究项目「指导新型农业经营机遇、集体投资及多元化营销路径的研究」的调研数据开展实证分析。回归结果显示，农户接受技术援助、参与农村合作社、农场经营面积扩大以及农业生产者受教育年限提升，均能显著促进毛收入的增长。据此，面向家庭农业发展的公共政策应涵盖农村生产者的教育与培训相关内容，并鼓励农户参与农村合作社及接受技术援助。