Phytosanitary diagnosis of integrated production of mango in 'Vale do Assu (RN)'.
Morais P. L. D. de, Pinheiro E. B., Araujo E. L., Ambrósio M. M. de Q., Pontes F. M.
Author Affiliation: Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Avenida Francisco Mota 572, CEP 59625-900, Mossoró - RN, Brazil.
Magistra 26 : 231-240
Abstract : The irrigated orchard especially mango production is an activity that is growing, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), particularly in the 'Vale do Assu' where the Irrigated District of Baixo Assu is located, but it is necessary for the producers to adjust their products to the quality standards demanded by the markets, obeying the economic, social and ecological requirements. Therefore this study aimed to evaluate the existing reality of the production system in 'Vale do Assu'-RN, diagnosing the main obstacles and difficulties faced by the farmers, about the use of the Integrated Fruit Production-IFP and certification of phytosanitary practices. The data acquisition and analysis of field research were performed descriptively, where a questionnaire was applied to nine producers, three of them from Ipanguaçu, two from Assu, two from Alto do Rodrigues, one from Pendência and one from Carnaubais. Through the observations, interviews and systematic questionnaires, diagnosis of the situation and main obstacles in certification were observed. It was observed that some requirements of integrated mango production in the Valley of Assu were already being observed. However, still many important items such as updated records of field book, daily monitoring, sample evaluation for decision making, construction of necessary infrastructure for handling and storage of pesticides, data documentation and training of staff, were not fulfilled. A deficiency of knowledge about IFP was also observed.