Analysis of the Productive and Socioeconomic Dynamics of Ipomoea batatas (L.) in the Agreste Mesoregions and the Brejo Microregion of Paraíba, 2010–2023

The sweet potato crop (Ipomoea batatas L.) holds a strategic position in the agriculture of Brazil’s Northeast region, playing a crucial role in food security and the socioeconomic development of Paraíba. Its productive dynamics, however, are marked by regional specificities, particularly in the Agreste mesoregion and the Brejo microregion. This study aimed to analyze the evolution of the planted area, harvested area, production, and yield of sweet potato, seeking to characterize the productive and socioeconomic dynamics in the Agreste mesoregion and the Brejo microregion of Paraíba from 2010 to 2023. The research adopted a quantitative approach using secondary data from the IBGE Automatic Recovery System (SIDRA-IBGE). The analysis employed descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlations, and the ARIMA forecasting model, using R software for data processing and visualization. The results revealed significant growth of the crop on a regional scale, with a notable increase in production in the Northeast (142.4%) and in Paraíba (26.9%). The Agreste of Paraíba demonstrated stability and representativeness at the state level, while the Brejo region recorded a sharp decline in cultivated area (-62.9%). Localized agricultural losses were correlated with climatic factors. The regional productive dynamics of sweet potato are heterogeneous, requiring differentiated strategies. It is concluded that the Agreste region has potential for consolidation through technological innovations, whereas the Brejo requires agricultural revitalization policies to reverse the decline, thereby promoting greater resilience and sustainability.