Production and Marketing on Marajó Island: The Difficulties of Family Farming in the Municipality of Salvaterra, Pará

Objective: To highlight the difficulties pointed out by family farmers regarding agricultural production and marketing in Salvaterra/PA, as well as the strategies adopted to overcome them. Theoretical Framework: Family farming in the Amazon, especially on Marajó Island, is of great importance to the economy, as half of all agricultural establishments are family-run. It is linked to the indigenous peoples who have a rich social and botanical heritage, with the incorporation of new human groups, undergoing a process of adaptability. Method: The municipality of Salvaterra currently has 52 rural communities, whose social groups are recognized as quilombolas, extractivists, artisanal fishermen, riverside dwellers and family farmers. The informants in this study were 197 producers from the 24 rural communities visited. Results and Discussion: The data obtained from the interviews in Salvaterra's rural communities revealed a set of structural, technical and environmental difficulties faced by family farmers. This diversity of limitations between communities reveals the complexity of the local production scenario and the need for differentiated public policies, taking territorial specificities into account. Research Implications: It lies in identifying the specific limitations experienced by communities, providing an empirical basis for formulating more effective public actions. It also highlights the strategic role of rural extension in mitigating the effects of these difficulties, promoting fairer and more sustainable development. Originality/Value: It values the knowledge of traditional communities and brings to light the farmers' own perspective on their limitations and resistance strategies, providing subsidies for more effective and contextualized rural development actions.