Challenges of the transition from conventional to organic rice production in a river basin

Abstract

The quality of life of a population is directly related to water quality and its availability, whether in natural, rural, peri-urban and urban landscapes. In the plain regions of the Camboriú River Basin, irrigated rice is planted, a more developed agricultural activity in the region. The present study aimed to evaluate the challenges of the transition from conventional to organic riziculture in the Camboriú river basin. For this purpose, two interviews were conducted on organic rice cultivation properties in the southern region of Santa Catarina, one located in Meleiro and in the production area of ​​Epagri in Araranguá. Two interviews were also carried out on two conventional rice cultivation properties and one transition for organic rice cultivation in Camboriú. In addition, a survey was made of the water demand for rice cultivation in the Camboriú watershed for the year 2015. Through the studies carried out, it is evident that with the establishment of an ecological rice cultivation in the Camboriú river basin, gains will be obtained for the producers, the environment, and the quality of water resources, but it was clear that the main challenge would be to convince rice farmers in the basin of the viability of the new technique and the establishment of an effective public policy.