Potato (Solanum tuberosum) production in agroecological family systems in Agreste of Borborema, Paraíba

Abstract

The potato is one of the main crops in the Agreste of Borborema. The objective of this work
was to evaluate the production and impacts of potato production in agroecological bases in the
state of Paraíba in the last six years. The cultivated varieties were BRS Catucha, BRS Elisa
and Electra. The potatoes were grown at spacings (1.0 x 0.3 and 0.8 x 0.3m) with or without
consortium. The information was obtained by interviews with the families in the period of crop
development and after harvest. More than 120 families have been involved in the production
of agroecological potatoes. It is estimated that more than 39,3 ha of potatoes were grown in
the last six years, with an accumulated volume of 700 tons of agroecological potatoes, with an
average yield of 2.8 t ha-1. In the last six years R$ 1,415,800 of agroecological potatoes were
commercialized. The agroecological potato program has fulfilled economic, environmental and
social role in the Agreste of Borborema.