Autoconsumo e comercialização em unidades familiares filiadas a uma rede social no Estado do Amazonas

Abstract

The research analyzed the self-consumption, trade and environmental sustainability relationship in family farms participants to a social network that purpose an ecological agricultura1 system. The data were obtained through the "Amazon Livelihood and Environment Network - Rava" search, and in tape recorded interviews with farmers from Itacoatiara, Amazonas State. The family farms had different arrangements among the production components. The management of severa1 species cultivated and different production components are the rule in that farms and

the specialization is rare. The family farms have different degrees of self- consumption related with the trade market insertion and with each family characteristic, like their composition. The self-consumption is an important strategy associated with food security, and is alço a defense mechanism against the trade market instabilities. The trade is present in different way among the family farms. In the fishing case only the farms near to the urbane centre presented relative high taxes of trade, selling to a fish processing plant.