May no one say "I will never drink of this water": agricultural production and water pollution in western Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Abstract

Humans cannot live without water. Whether to quench one's thirst or to supply the foods that humans need, water is always indispensable. Water is present in everything we need to reproduce. From this perspective, the article aims to outline the current state of production and use of water in rural areas in western Santa Catarina State, Brazil, from the perspective of family farmers and leaders of various rural organizations and social movements. We interviewed 30 family farmers from six communities in different micro regions of western Santa Catarina, as well as 20 leaders of social and family farming organizations in the region. The findings included the intense process of contamination of water sources with agricultural pesticides, silting of rivers and creeks, recovery of water production on hillside areas, exponential growth in the use of water from artesian wells to supply farm properties, and microclimatic changes around hydroelectric reservoirs. The study concludes that family farmers have a historical and cultural concern with the availability of water. Still, market demands for crop and livestock produce and the interests of companies that supply pesticides determine the degree of care for water and its preservation. The culture and history of family farming in this region is an ally for Brazilian society that must be protected from dominant agribusiness groups to provide positive responses for preserving water as a precious good and to continue to supply healthier foods.