REPRESENTATION AND PRACTICES OF THE USE OF AGROCHEMICAL PRODUCTS IN THE SMALL FAMILY AGRICULTURE OF VALE DO RIBEIRA, STATE OF SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

Abstract

The Centre for Rural and Urban Studies (NAP/USP) and UNESP - Campus Experimental at Registro developed a sociological study as a part of a rural extension program in Vale do Ribeira region, State of São Paulo, Brazil (2013/2014), aiming to spread along to rural producers, particularly from family farming, concepts and practices related to workers' health, especially the correct use of PPE and environment preservation (soil and water) for their activities, in order to take effect directed to sustainable development (social, economic and environmental) of their municipality and region. The study was conducted using participant observation, a methodology of action research that seeks simultaneously to understand and to intervene, assumes familiarity with the object and therefore has two production purposes: production of knowledge and change of practices observed. This is done through a pedagogical action, which is not based only on the knowledge of experience lived by the observed agents but the social conditions to make possible this experience (thus, the effects and limits). (Bourdieu, 2003). Therefore, it sought to learn the representation of rural producers on agrochemicals and its use, looking at the participation of their associations and rural extension services in their product user practices.