OS AGROTÓXICOS NA PRODUÇÃO DE TOMATE DE MESA NA REGIÃO DE GOIANÁPOLIS, GOIÁS

ISSN 1517-6398/ e-ISSN 1983-4063 - www.agro.ufg.br/pat - Pesq. Agropec. Trop., Goiânia, v. 39, n. 4, p. 307-316, out./dez. 2009

OS AGROTÓXICOS NA PRODUÇÃO DE TOMATE DE MESA
NA REGIÃO DE GOIANÁPOLIS, GOIÁS1
José de Souza Reis Filho2, Joel Orlando Bevilaqua Marin3, Paulo Marçal Fernandes4

ABSTRACT
USE OF PESTICIDES ON TOMATO
IN THE STATE OF GOIÁS, BRAZIL

This research tried to identify the causes for the intensive use of pesticides and potential solutions for a more sustainable tomato cropping. Qualitative survey techniques (semi-structured interviews and observations), derived from sociological surveys, were employed for evaluating the use of pesticides on tomato cropping, in the Goianápolis municipality, Goiás State, Brazil.
The results showed that the main causes for the intensive use of pesticides are the farmer fear of losing crops, since the investment is very high, and the fact that the use of pesticides represents an insurance against losses. Lack of alternatives for pests and diseases control, farmers reluctance in looking for alternative methods and insufficient technical assistance, absence of association and cooperation among tomato growers, and uncontested acceptance of the current production model are other causes for this substantial use of pesticides. A program of integrated pests management, dealing with the production system as a whole, can be the main tool for changing growers’ concepts and attitudes, regarding the current technology. In a short term, grower associations are essential for solving short term problems.

RESUMO
Este trabalho procurou identificar as causas do uso intensivo de agrotóxicos na cultura do tomateiro e possíveis soluções para uma tomaticultura mais sustentável. Técnicas de pesquisa qualitativa (entrevistas semiestruturadas e observação), derivadas da pesquisa sociológica, foram utilizadas para avaliar o uso de agrotóxicos, na região de Goianápolis, Estado de
Goiás. Os resultados