EFFECTS OF THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT SEEDED MAIZE PRODUCTION UNDER SMALL SCALE FARMERS CONDITIONS IN UNAÍ, MG (BRAZILIAN CERRADO)

Authors

  • José Humberto Valadares Xavier Embrapa Cerrados
  • Fernando Antônio Macena da Silva Embrapa Cerrados
  • Eric Scopel CIRAD
  • Marcelo Nascimento de Oliveira Embrapa Cerrados
  • José Luiz Fernandes Zoby

Keywords:

Family farming, conservation agriculture, no-tillage.

Abstract

This paper evaluates the effects of the introduction of no tillage systems (SPD) in rainfed maize grain production, by smallholders, under Cerrado conditions, in the region of Unaí, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The main constraints faced by farmers to produce are related to soil fertility management, difficulties in assessing tractors for preparing their land, and high levels of weed infestation. SPD was tested jointly with farmers trying to decrease these problems impacts. It showed promising results to stabilize, technically and economically, maize production. SPD solved completely the tractors dependency and contributed to decrease labour requirements for weed control. The production levels attained led to a better valorisation of the most scarce production factors, such as family labour and land. It was also evidenced the need to conduct more studies on the use of cover crops in those production systems.

 

Key-words: Family farming; conservation agriculture; no-tillage.

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Author Biographies

José Humberto Valadares Xavier, Embrapa Cerrados

Engenheiro agrônomo, M.Sc, doutorando em Sistemas de Produção Agrícola Familiar pela Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Analista de Pesquisa da Embrapa Cerrados. Área de pesquisa em desenvolvimento rural, agricultura familiar e sistemas de produção.

Fernando Antônio Macena da Silva, Embrapa Cerrados

Engenheiro agrônomo, D.Sc, Pesquisador da Embrapa Cerrados. Área de pesquisa em hidrologia, agricultura familiar e sistemas de produção.

Eric Scopel, CIRAD

Engenheiro agrônomo, D.Sc, Pesquisador do CIRAD. Área de pesquisa em sistemas de cultivo, agricultura familiar e sistemas de produção.

Marcelo Nascimento de Oliveira, Embrapa Cerrados

Engenheiro agrônomo, M.Sc, Pesquisador da Embrapa Cerrados. Área de pesquisa em desenvolvimento rural, agricultura familiar e sistemas de produção.

José Luiz Fernandes Zoby

Engenheiro agrônomo, P.hD. Área de pesquisa em desenvolvimento rural, agricultura familiar, sistemas de produção e produção animal.

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Published

2009-03-11

How to Cite

XAVIER, J. H. V.; SILVA, F. A. M. da; SCOPEL, E.; OLIVEIRA, M. N. de; ZOBY, J. L. F. EFFECTS OF THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT SEEDED MAIZE PRODUCTION UNDER SMALL SCALE FARMERS CONDITIONS IN UNAÍ, MG (BRAZILIAN CERRADO). Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical [Agricultural Research in the Tropics], Goiânia, v. 39, n. 1, p. 51–60, 2009. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/pat/article/view/3953. Acesso em: 8 sep. 2024.

Issue

v. 39, n. 1, Jan./Mar. 2009

Section

Research Article

License

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