Pluriactivity and Multifunctionality in Family Farming:

Abstract

This study analyzed pluriactivity in family farming in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, based on data from the 2017 Agricultural Census. The research investigated regional differences in dependence on agricultural income compared to other sources, revealing that 63.3% of family establishments generate more income from non-agricultural activities, such as jobs outside the rural sector and income transfer programs. Spatial analysis, using the Local Moran's Index (LISA), identified clusters of high dependence on agricultural income in southwestern regions like Caicó and Apodi, and low dependence in areas near the coast, such as Maxaranguape, where diversification of monetary income sources is more frequent. In total, 23 municipalities showed statistically significant spatial autocorrelation (p < 0.05), indicating that these locations have patterns of dependence on agricultural income similar to their neighboring municipalities, forming distinct regional clusters. The study highlights pluriactivity as a fundamental strategy for the social reproduction of rural families in the state, especially in contexts of socioeconomic vulnerability and greater urban integration. However, it raises questions about the possible repercussions of this dynamic on the multifunctionality of family farming. The implications for sustainable rural development and public policies are discussed, emphasizing the need to balance the productive, social, and environmental functions of family farming with the supplementation of non-agricultural income.