Socioeconomic and environmental characterization of urban backyards in the marituba municipality, belém metropolitan region, Pará State, Brazilian Amazon

The article analyzes the socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of urban backyards in the Marituba municipality, Belém Metropolitan Region, Pará State, Brazilian Amazon. Data were collected between December 2018 and January 2019 using semi-structured questionnaires. The sampling was “snowball” type, comprising 22 productive backyards located in four neighborhoods: Uriboca, São Francisco, Almir Gabriel, and Bela Vista. Of the respondents, more than half (54%) were women and 45% were men. Ages ranged from 38 to 74 years, with an average of 52.64 and standard deviation of 9.42 years. Only 18% were retired, 32% received financial aid through the Bolsa Família Program, and 50% did not receive help whatsoever. Schooling was low; 54% of interviewees did not complete elementary school, and there was a record of illiteracy. The environmental profile showed the adoption of few agro ecological practices in the agricultural production carried out in the backyards; the most prominent is the cultivation of native species (82%), crop rotation (73%), and composting (50%). Urban agriculture developed in these yards assumes relevance to Marituba’s urban economy as it contributes to social inclusion, food security, and market access, and it should be a priority in local development public policies.