Percepção e gestão de riscos em sistemas pecuários extensivos e integrados na Campanha Gaúcha

Abstract

Livestock farming is an activity that involves the breeding and management of various types of animals. In the Campanha Gaúcha region, located predominantly within Biome Pampa in southern Brazil, this activity is widely practiced and well-established, mainly through extensive livestock systems. In Rio Grande do Sul state, livestock represents one of the most historically significant socioeconomic sectors, providing food for the population and raw materials for various agroindustrial sectors. Like livestock, agriculture has also long contributed to the region’s economic development, with a notable increase in grain cultivation areas in recent years, driving significant changes in the local landscape due to land use changes. These transformations impose different types of risks and uncertainties on rural producers, requiring efficient management through mitigation strategies and risk management tools. However, studies on risk management in livestock organizations with and without agricultural activities in the Campanha Gaúcha are still recent and scarce, revealing a research gap to be addressed. This study aimed to analyze risk perception and management in livestock organizations with and without agricultural activities in the Campanha Gaúcha region. A quantitative approach was adopted, with exploratory-descriptive statistica and a survey method. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire applied to a sample of 251 rural producers. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (frequencies, charts, means, and standard deviations), nonparametric test (Mann-Whitney), and exploratory factor analysis. The results revealed significant differences between groups, highlighting producers who combine agriculture and livestock, as they showed a greater perception of risks and a more systematic adoption of preventive strategies. The factor analysis identified six risk factors: Grain Agriculture Risks, Technology and Services Risks, Economic Risks, Sanitary Risks, and Fat Cattle Price Risks; and five strategy factors: Economic Strategies, Productive Strategies, Securitization Strategies, Sanitary Strategies, and Water Reserve Strategies. Additionally, aspects such as education level, non-agricultural income, and participation in associations showed a significant influence on how producers perceive and manage risks. It is concluded that the integration of agriculture and livestock enables more structured risk management, and that public policies aimed at training, technical assistance, and institutional support are essential for strengthening productive resilience in rural properties