Challenges to the permanence of young people in rural environment: A case study in Piracicaba-SP and Uberlandia-MG

Abstract

This study aims to understand the factors that lead young people to stay or not in their family farms located in Uberlândia-MG and Piracicaba-SP. The low permanence of young people in rural properties leads to the lack of successors, impacting the continuity of the family agriculture enterprises. We performed a qualitative and descriptive case study in both cities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with farm owners and potential family successors in Uberlândia-MG and Piracicaba-SP. Data analysis was performed using the content analysis technique, with the following categories: (1) Family History; (2) Incentives/obstacles to remain in the field and; (3) Perspectives/alternatives/possibilities. The results show the factors that strengthen and impair the permanence of young people in rural areas. Family bond, improvements in working conditions and the realization of a shared management between parents and sons serve as a stimulus to the work of young people in the countryside. Nevertheless, conflicts, late or unplanned succession process, lack of public policies for the family agriculture strengthening, are factors that discourage the permanence of the young in the rural environment.