The influence of rural capitals and value orientations on generational succession in rural areas

Abstract

This study aims to identify the influence of capital and assets and value orientations on generational succession in rural areas. In theoretical terms, the study is based on the theories of Frank Ellis (2000) on livelihoods in the rural context, that is, on the capital and assets that rural families adopt to diversify their reproduction strategies; and of Ruth Gasson (1973) on value orientations, which explores the objectives and values in agricultural occupation. The objective of this study, therefore, is to analyze the influence of capital and assets and value orientations on generational succession in rural areas, identifying the characteristics of rural properties according to the capital and assets available, as well as the aspects that are most valued by rural producers with and without a successor, from the perspective of value orientations. A questionnaire was developed to collect quantitative and qualitative data, which was applied to 230 producers. Regarding capital and assets, it was concluded that rural producers mobilize a significant portfolio of capital (human, social, natural, physical and financial) and their assets. It was also concluded that rural producers with succession tend to have an expressive value orientation, which sees agriculture as a means of self-expression or as a means for personal fulfillment, while producers without succession presented a tie between the expressive and intrinsic orientations, mixing their objectives between personal fulfillment and the valorization of agriculture as an activity, due to its particular and legal characteristics.

Keywords: rural capitals; value orientations; family farming; rural development; generational succession.