Avaliação socioeconômica e histórica de plantios comerciais de dendezeiros híbridos interespecíficos [Elaeis guineensis Jacq. X Elais oleifera (Kunth) Cortés] da região Nordeste Paraense.

Abstract

This study is part of a larger project bein conducted in partnership with Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, which focus the promotion of the sustainability of palm oil production systems in small rural property. The objective was characterize the socioeconomic profíle of producers and the production system ofthe fírst crops on a commercial scale, hybrid oil palm interspecifíc between caiaué cultivars (Elaeis oleifera Kunt, Cortez) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in northeastem region ofPará State, north-eastem Brazilian Amazon, the levei ofsmall farms. It is the fírst study to show the productive architecture ofthis system, which is a pioneer in the Amazon on a commercial scale and contributes signifícantly to local development. This cultivar was developed by Embrapa Western Amazon in the 1980s as a solution to the economic sustainability of the crop in areas hit by the fatal yellowing of unknown etymology disease, responsible for the death ofentire crops in producing countries. The data was collected through interviews and questionnaires and socioeconomic and technological issues were addressed. Of the 26 existing producers of oil palm interspecifíc hybrids in the study area, seventeen were interviewed, the data being tabulated and systematized in tables and graphs. The results show that, despite its similarities with guineensis oil palm production system, the interspecifíc hybrid production system has different technologies, some ofthem generated by research institutions and already absorbed by producers. Research has identifíed that the palm culture in the area under study, despite having a deployed and developed industrial structure does not have a high degree of specialization, since most manufacturers have reasonable levei of technology. The results showed also that assisted pollination and fertilization are essential to the productivity of culture and that in the absence ofthese practices, this cultivar presents unproductive, causing financial losses to their producers. It also showed that the absence of public policies to small producers, especially in regard to access to credit and funding hamper the maintenance and expansion ofthe culture in the region.