Diversificação produtiva e as possibilidades de desenvolvimento: um estudo da fruticultura na região da Campanha no RS

Studies indicate the existence of a situation of underdevelopmentin the southern half of Rio Grande do Sul, directly correlated withthe farming and rice culture crises. The later suffers from the macroeconomicpolicies linked to the opening of the economy and with the pressuresof the increase of competitiveness. This process has made the regionpresent inferior performances than State averages when indicators such asGDP and per capita income are analyzed. Seeking to reduce these inequalities,governmental sectors have been elaborating development strategiesthrough the utilization of the regional agricultural vocation as well as theinsertion of differentiated chains in local agribusiness. One of these experiencesis the Program for the Development of Irrigated Fruit Culture inthe Southern Half/RS. Within this context, this article has the objective ofpresenting the results observed in the GDP and HDI of two municipalitieslocated in the Campanha Region of Rio Grande do Sul, and also to presentthe effects observed on the life quality of the producers after the implementationof fruit culture in their properties. Based on the data collectedand the methodology chosen, it can be said that the productive diversificationof rural properties contributes in the improvement of the producers’life quality, having positive effects on the per capita GDP and HDI of themunicipalities studied.