Dinâmica socioambiental da produção de Attalea speciosa no ­Maranhão como subsídio para o desenvolvimento sustentável

Abstract

The state of Maranhão is the largest producer of babassu in Brazil, a crop primarily exploited by women extractivists known as babassu coconut breakers. Extractivism was once recognized as one of the main productive activities in the agricultural context of Maranhão. Until the mid-1980s, babassu extraction played an important role in the state's economy, particularly after the decline of textile production. However, with the introduction of laws that legitimized the privatization and expropriation of public lands, restricting the access of babassu coconut breakers to babassu palm groves, this activity lost its significance as the coconut breakers lost access to the groves. This fact initiated conflicts over access to this natural resource, which has been decreasing due to the introduction of activities and the establishment of agricultural crops, pastures, and the expansion of deforested areas, which may have influenced the production and extraction of babassu kernels. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify what has been happening with kernel production over three decades and what has affected the increase or decrease in babassu production in the mesoregions of the state of Maranhão. Data for the research were obtained from the IBGE/SIDRA database, MapBiomas, and Lapig, where geoprocessing techniques were applied using QGIS 3.16.4 software for spatial analysis of babassu kernel production dynamics in the state, and statistical analyses were performed within the routine of the R program. The correlation test and principal component analysis demonstrated that the mesoregions that showed the greatest decrease in kernel production were the eastern, western, and southern regions, with a 50% decrease in production over 30 years. This information will update cartographic data on babassu production and reconstruct the historical evolution of the extractivism of this palm tree, which is crucial for the subsistence of many families. In addition, it will contribute to public policies capable of preserving these areas and promoting greater monitoring and penalties for the improper preservation of these environments.