The objective of this work was to analyze the agricultural potential of land in two rural villages, located in Rio Negro, Paraná State , Brazil, using two methodologies denominated Land Use Capability (SCU) and Land Agricultural Aptitude (SAA). The rural villages were chosen for their distinct characteristics of soil and slope conditions. The contrast between the methodologies was based on the land limiting factors as well as on the social factors involved in the family settlement in small farms. The results showed that: (a) the SAA was more appropriate than SC U for determining the agricultural potential of the lands; (b) the SAA and SC U indicate that the lands of the two villages do not feature the agricultural potential for annual cultivations; (c) the SC U was more restrictive on the agricultural potential of the land than the SAA.
rural villages; soils; small farm; agricultural planning
