Cultivo de plantas medicinais na agricultura familiar: Um estudo de caso

Abstract

The cultivation of medicinal plants lies within the social and economic characteristics of family agriculture in the hinterland municipalities of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Producers have encountered difficulties and should adapt themselves to increasing demands in productivity. The diagnosis of such characteristics started by evaluating a farm specialized in medicinal plants. The initiative integrates the program called Cultivando Água Boa (CAB), of the Itaipu Binational, Paraná III Basin, of the Cooperativa de Produtos Orgânicos Gran Lago in Vera Cruz do Oeste PR Brazil. Methodology comprised a questionnaire based on good agricultural practices provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Cattle-breeding and Supply (MAPA). Results show that the establishment of projects has contributed towards the upgrading of family agriculture. Diagnosis also reveals limitations with regard to preventive technologies, processing, cultivation and trading of medicinal plants in the region.