Plano de manejo agroflorestal para a propriedade Toca do Coelho, Itamonte, MG

Abstract

The goals of this study were to elaborate on an agroforestry management plan for a 5.25-hectare property, called Toca do Coelho, located in Itamonte, southern of Minas Gerais state. The management plan`s objectives aimed at generating income from multiple land uses and adopting agricultural alternative techniques that match with sustainability guidelines. The methodology was preceded by two steps: the personal assessment, which refers to identifying the owner's goals and available resources; and the biophysical site assessment, which consisted of georeferencing and mapping of the property, land zoning based on applicable legal restrictions, characterizing biophysical aspects of the property, and identifying land use and occupation. From the information gathered, the property was divided into the following zones: Permanent Preservation Zone, Integral Protection Zone, Native Vegetation Management Zone, and Agroforestry Production Zone. The activities to be developed on the property will be: a) implementation of an Agroforestry System – SAF - from the consortium of olive, coffee, and raspberry; (b) management of candeia (Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) Macleish); c) installation of apiaries for honey production; d) delimitation of pasture area for dairy production; e) adoption of a trail circuit to encourage ecological/rural tourism on the property. For each of the activities, their costs, as well as the financial return, were estimated. The Toca do Coelho Management Plan proves to be environmentally and economically viable, as it will seek to meet the owner's expectations. Adoption of this technology can serve as a model for increasing the productivity and quality of life of small farmers, while at the same time represents na alternative to conserve natural resources.