Turismo rural como temática agroambiental na formação do técnico em agropecuária

Abstract

The present dissertation is the result of field research on rural tourism initiatives in the region of Cariri Cearense and the proposal of its insertion in the agro-environmental training of agricultural technicians. The study included tourism projects in progress in the cities of Crato, Nova Olinda, Juazeiro do Norte, and Barbalha municipalities. These are geographically close and rapidly developing tourism settings in rural environments, especially related to family agriculture. The research had as goals: (a) identify rural properties working with rural tourism; (b) characterize tourism developed by farmers including infrastructure, services offered and activities to preserve the rural environment and (c) exchange of knowledge between students and farmers on environmental issues and on the benefits and socio economic impacts of the tourist movement for the families. A sample of 30% of the 80 students from the 2nd and 3rd grades of the Agricultural Technical Course participated in the study. Through questionnaires, students presented their impressions about the existing rural tourism projects and, after identifying the establishments some were selected to be visited. Activities related to rural tourism, its benefits and socio-economic impacts on farmers' lives were investigated before and after the project's implementation. An enterprise was visited in the municipality of Nova Olinda, three in Crato, nine in Barbalha. During the visits, each property was described according to its tourism projects and considered under the technician's training point of view. Most of the establishments used social technologies and family workforces. Research has shown that rural tourism in this region contributes to local development and represents a significant element of entertainment for visitors and the community involved, and also a means of employability. The study also proposed the inclusion of "Rural Tourism" in the curriculum of the Agricultural Technical Course in the IFCE. Finally, rural tourism constitutes an important theme of agro-environmental training and in the Cariri region of Ceará and may be more of a novel space for the Agricultural Technician, considering that the existing initiatives may collaborate, add value to the agricultural and non-agricultural production of rural workers and their properties. However, for the implementation of a tourism project in the viable rural environment, investments, technical support and access to public policies are required to maximize potentialities and minimize the socio-environmental impacts of the tourist movement