Production for self-consumption and food security of rural settlers in Upper Xingu, in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract:

The reduced production for self-consumption may affect food and nutrition security as well as the food sovereignty of rural families. This is a relevant topic in the Upper Xingu region, in Mato Grosso, given the land-use change and the intensification of socioeconomic phenomena such as the growing workforce occupation of the rural areas’ residents, in non-agricultural activities. This study aims to identify food production for self-consumption among rural settlers in the Upper Xingu region, as well as to relate the practice to food security. For this, 24-hour dietary recall for food consumption and in-depth interviews were performed in 43 domestic units. Results show the importance of food production for self-consumption towards food security and food sovereignty, especially for animal protein. However, the practice has decreased over time in this context of changes. We identified an “order of disarticulation” of the production for self-consumption surrounding pressure and we highlight the vulnerability of growing vegetables and the resistance of the poultry and fruit tree production. Finally, the study emphasizes that the reduced production for self-consumption mainly affects families' food sovereignty and social reproduction, strengthening the socioeconomic changes taking place in the rural areas.

Keywords:
food production for self-consumption; food security and food safety; Upper Xingu