O Impacto da atividade de piscicultura em propriedades familiares

Abstract

Family fish farming in the state of Amazonas represents an alternative for income generation and productive diversification within the framework of family agriculture. The objective was to understand and measure the main forms of fish farming production carried out on family properties, the use of available economic and environmental resources, the characterization of fish farmers' profiles, the predominant crops, the dynamics of rural family units, and the effective economic and social contribution of fish farming. The study was conducted in the rural area of the municipality of Rio Preto da Eva, located in the Metropolitan Region of Manaus, from November 2023 to January 2025. A total of 36 semi-structured questionnaires were applied, following a field survey of active family fish farms, along with monthly data collections in ten selected properties. Data collection began only after approval by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP – CAAE Process No. 7.029.020). Fish farming is predominantly carried out by men over the age of 50, with low levels of education and no formal employment, in semi-intensive systems using earthen ponds supplied by natural springs. The main species cultivated is tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), in its juvenile phase known as tambaqui curumim, with production cycles ranging from 6 to 8 months and harvest weights between 350 g and 700 g. Fish farming coexists with other rural activities, such as fruit farming, poultry, and extractivism, characterizing multifunctional properties. Most producers lack land title regularization and environmental licensing, which limits access to credit, technical assistance, and formal marketing channels, often forcing them to sell through intermediaries at reduced prices. The productive and economic analysis of ten properties revealed significant variation in zootechnical and financial indicators. Principal Component Analysis showed that, although fish farming is perceived by producers as the main activity, it often plays a complementary role in household income. Productive diversification associated with fish farming provides greater economic stability for families, but the success of the activity depends on the adoption of good management practices, land regularization, continuous technical assistance, and the adoption of technologies for the growth and improvement of family-based production.