Analysis of the production system of macassar bean (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) in the municipality of Parari, Paraíba State

Abstract

Macassar bean (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is no longer a culture only for family farmers and is now grown by medium and large producers in the North and Northeast regions, and also in countries of Africa and Asia, especially for its nutritional characteristics. The objective was to make a productive diagnosis of bean Macassar culture and meet some techniques used by bean producers in the municipality of Parari, Paraíba State, Brazil. The survey was conducted in 2011 with questionnaires to the 50 producers. It was found that most farmers, 45% has an area of 2 hectares for common bean cultivation, as follows: 55% of farmers get their seeds with property of neighbors, while 45% of them cultivate this legume in clay soils. Almost 85% use the bean as intercropping, always with the corn. According to the data 90% of producers do crop rotation, and producing 90% of its grains stored in metal bins. It is concluded that the bean is a culture of extreme importance to the economy and agriculture of survival in this region, requiring therefore new technologies to increase production and sustainability of the producer.