Interacção entre a agricultura familiar e o turismo no município de Inhambane

Abstract

Family farming and tourism are essential activities in the economic matrix of the municipality of Inhambane. If, on the one hand, agriculture is a source of self-support for a considerable part of rural households, on the other hand, tourism is one of the sources of income and both contribute to the development of this municipality. However, little is explored and described about the nature of the relationship between family farming and tourism, the fundamental factors and the challenges for linking these activities. Based on mixed procedures of parallel convergence based on descriptive statistics, logistical models and content analysis, the research analyzes family agricultural activity and tourism in the municipality of Inhambane, focusing on the relationships that these activities have and the challenges that arise for the establishment of those relationships. Research results show that there is a hybrid family agriculture made up of farmers who are more focused on producing short-term crops aimed at supplying the local market and those who only practice agriculture because it is a source of products for the family's livelihood. There are still challenges related to access to basic means of production, particularly land, as well as financial resources for investment in agriculture, but some farmers manage to overcome these challenges through social networks. The research shows that four relationships can be established between family farming and tourism, namely: direct, indirect, negative and passive. The link between family farming and tourism is more characterized by being indirect, quite informal and marked by barriers that include a lack of information and intermediaries, which means that only 14% of family farmers sell agricultural production in tourist establishments. Although there are several types of tourism, Inhambane basically has sun and beach tourism and almost no rural tourism initiative that could characterize a direct link. Thus, it is recommended that there is a greater link between tourism and local agriculture through a greater organization of producers and the establishment of a platform of connection between the sector of agriculture and tourism in the municipality. It is also recommended to diversify the type of tourism seeking to promote rural tourism