IMPACTS OF THE PUBLIC POLICY TO ENCOURAGE ORANGE PRODUCTION IN SOUTHERN ESPÍRITO SANTO

Abstract

Between 2002 and 2008, the area planted with oranges in Jerônimo Monteiro was reduced due to the eradication of crops because of the spread of the disease known as black spot, caused by the fungus Guignardia citricarpa, which had been uncontrolled until then. In 2010, the South-Caparaó Orange Hub was created, a public policy aimed at promoting the spread of both fruit tree cultivars and rootstocks, expanding the cultivated area, increasing the fruit supply to 11 months, and serving the domestic market and commercialization programs. The objective of this study was to assess the results, impacts of the public policy, and prospects of the activity in southern Espírito Santo. In 2022, structured interviews were conducted with 38 citrus farmers from the municipalities of the South-Caparaó Orange Hub. The data was analyzed based on the frequency of the responses obtained. A total of 85,000 seedlings were distributed to 300 farmers. The spread of the fruit tree cultivars resulted in an increase in the orange supply to 12 months, with the months of greatest supply being between May and September. The ‘Cravo’ lime tree was the most widely used rootstock by citrus farmers, followed by the ‘Cleopatra’ tangerine and the ‘Riverside’ citrandarin. The interviewees had a total of 59 hectares with oranges, producing 3,400 tons. Among the respondents, there was limited knowledge about organic citrus farming, agroecology, and integrated production. It is estimated that half of the oranges produced in southern Espírito Santo were consumed in the local market. Nearly 95% of the interviewees sold their oranges without processing. The interviewees were predominantly over 46 years old. There was at least one woman and one young person in 41.6% and 27% of the properties, respectively. The results show the progress of citrus farming in southern Espírito Santo with the public policy supporting the activity. However, there are still technical, economic, and cultural challenges that need to be better examined and addressed by the public sector.