Abstract

In Paraná Coast lacks production alternatives in rural areas due to the high natural declivity of the land, as well as the low natural fertility of the soil and few areas available to plant because the large presence of environmental preservation areas. In this context, new alternatives within the pluri-activity perspective should be considered in the generation of income for family agriculture. Non-conventional food plants (NCFP) seemingly meet the prerogatives, but studies were not found on this regional production system that could attest the production and trade of this plants as an income alternative. Thus, from June to October of 2018, a descriptive exploratory research with qualitative nature was carried out with farmers that had recognized tradition in the cultivation of these types of food plants, in order to delineate an overview of the regional activity, as well as the implication and potential of the crops. The study found that farmers lived in rural areas and on average had a cultivation of 0.5 hectares of NCFP, which generated an income of approximately USD 180.00 per month. The most cultivated species were Taioba (xanthosoma taioba), serralha (sonchus oleraceus) and Hibisco (hibiscos acetosella). The main implications of the farmers' perception were the lack of agronomic knowledge for the introduction of new crops, few specialized technicians for technical assistance, and the lack of public sector incentives. The main potentialities observed were the loyal customers, the species of NCFP which are traditionally more resistant to pests and diseases and that favor the cultivation, besides being a factor that provides an alternative of income in the concept of rural pluri-activity.

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