The objective of the present study is to analyze the importance of fruit growing for the family farmers from the EDR (Rural Development Office) of Jales, specifically in three cities, Marinopolis, Santa Albertina and Santa Salete, concerning the maintenance of the families in the field as well as the generation of jobs. In order to collect data to elaborate this study, questionnaires were applied and interviews were done together with the producers from the micro-basins of the respective cities, particularly on the social, financial and productive policies. The fruit growing highlighted in the EDR in terms of Gross Value of Production. Among the fruits, the orange and the grape have presented the best results. Mainly grape growing reveled capable of generating income and keeping the producers in the field, as well as providing jobs for the children of these producers, and offering good economical conditions for the families, showing to be a good alternative for the small farmers.
fruits production; family farm; generation of income; permanence in the field
