Avaliação de processo de transferência de tecnologia de automação de baixo custo para irrigação: estudo de caso na Escola Família Agrícola de Jacaré – Itinga (MG)

Abstract

Agriculture is the human activity that uses water the most, so is necessary to reassess its management, as well as insert in the family farming technologies context, able to reconcile agricultural productivity and water resources rationalization. However, these actions must be emancipatory, involving both the scientific community as farming families and their popular knowledge. Thus, this study was developed in the region Vale do Jequitinhonha, specifically at Escola Família Agrícola de Jacaré, Itinga, MG. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate in a participatory way, the ‘automatic controler to water plants’ suitability to the reality of family production systems in Itinga – MG. As a specific goal: evaluate, in a participatory manner with EFA Jacaré students, the suitability of technology in the spotlight, when installed in school. The research was a qualitative, having case research as used methodology. The instruments of data collection were: deployment of an Observation Facility, questionnaires, daily field and photographic records. Regarding the difficulty in mounting the ‘automatic controler to water plants' in school, the students elected the connection of the parts the most difficult task, however, when asked about the difficulties in setting up the technology at home, they said find the parts in the region was the biggest difficulty. Water savings and appreciation of worker were respectively identified as environmental and social aspects of the technology. All students recognized the economic characteristics in the device. The study concluded that 'automatic irrigation trigger ' is a suitable technology to production systems in Itinga, having satisfactory performance when evaluated at the school’s Observatory Facility, thus there is no need for adjustments of the assess technology.