Produção de borracha natural em comunidades rurais do município de Itacoatiara, Estado do Amazonas

Abstract

The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) Is the largest source of natural rubber, raw material used in transportation, industry as war material, among other sectors. Unique among natural products, rubber has elasticity, plasticity, wear resistance, insulating properties of electricity and impermeability for liquids and gases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production of natural rubber in rural communities in the municipality of Itacoatiara, State of Amazonas. The rural communities studied were São José da Colônia do Piquiá and Paraná do Serpa/São Raimundo Alvorada. The first community is located in the Silva Amazonas branch. The second is located in front of Ilha do Risco on the Amazon River, downstream from the city of Itacoatiara. Data collection was done through a census (100%). From a list of APROCRIA and the technique of "snowball" was located the producers of natural rubber. The other research techniques used for the data collection were Systematic Intensive Direct Observation, Interview with aid of Semistructured Questionnaire and Documentary Research. The community of São José da Colônia do Piquiá has different size placements, averaging 27 ha of area (± 7,58), out of a total of 135 ha. The highest ranking covers an area of 40 ha and the lowest 20 ha, are on average 11.1 rubber trees/ha of the total 1,500 rubber trees and 15 syringe roads. The minimum number corresponds to 8 and maximum 15 trees/ha. The average production per rubber tappers was 200 kg/year of CVP of 1 ton, with a minimum quantity of 125 kg/year and a maximum of 275 kg/year. In the Paraná do Serpa/São Raimundo da Alvorada community, the settlements average 19.8 ha, with a total area of 119 ha. The largest area is 40 ha and the lowest is 9 ha. On average, 12.2 trees/ha with an average production of 260 kg/year of CVP of a total of 1,565 kg/year. The maximum quantity produced was 375 kg/year, and the minimum quantity was 150 kg/year. Paraná do Serpa/São Raimundo da Alvorada would have an average upper income - US$ 712.99 without the subsidy and US$ 1,385.63 with the subsidy; while São José da Colônia do Piquiá would have income of US$ 455.59 without subsidy and US$ 885.39 with the subsidy. Currently, both communities are engaged in the activities of latex extraction and natural rubber production suspended. The process of exploration of rubber tree and sale of its derivative continues to suffer the limitations in the two communities studied. Among the main difficulties identified are the drop in the price of natural rubber, the withdrawal of the subsidy, lack of knowledge regarding the activity of latex exploitation and lack of infrastructure. The state subsidy directly contributed to the permanence of extractive families in the forest. The municipality has great potential for the production of natural rubber and APROCRIA is interested in resuming activity with the communities. Currently, both communities are engaged in the activities of latex extraction and natural rubber production suspended.