Strategic planning applied to the process of sustainable development in the irrigated perimeter in the municipality of Pau dos Ferros/RN

Abstract

The present work investigates the potentializing forces and the different problems that interfere in the sustainable development process of the Perimeter Irrigated - PI of Pau dos Ferros-RN. To identify the information, the Participatory Rapid Diagnosis - (DRP) was used. DRP is a set of techniques and tools that allows communities to make their own diagnosis and then start to self-manage their planning and development. To systematize the DRP information, the Fortaleza-Oportunidade-Weakness-Threat model (F-O-F-A) was used. There are no records on the origin of the model, but its creation is credited to two professors from Harvard Business School, based on the principle of organization and systematization of internal (Strengths and Weaknesses) and external (Opportunities and Threats) factors. As a way to achieve this goal, socioeconomic and environmental aspects that are directly related to the IP planning process were selected through interviews with social actors. Subsequently, some potentialities and problems for socioeconomic and environmental aspects were listed. The potentials indicate that it can be controlled by the leaders and local leaders, and the problems show that there is a possibility to control through adequate planning. The interviews with social actors showed the perception of socioeconomic and environmental aspects, suggesting that they detect which factors were more important. The results obtained showed that the participatory planning process is essential for the decision making of the Irrigated Perimeter. Finally, the F-O-F-A socio-economic and environmental model was built, taking into account the results of the interviews with the social actors.