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Abstract
Studies indicate the existence of a situation of underdevelopment
in the southern half of Rio Grande do Sul, directly correlated with
the farming and rice culture crises. The later suffers from the macroeconomic
policies linked to the opening of the economy and with the pressures
of the increase of competitiveness. This process has made the region
present inferior performances than State averages when indicators such as
GDP and per capita income are analyzed. Seeking to reduce these inequalities,
governmental sectors have been elaborating development strategies
through the utilization of the regional agricultural vocation as well as the
insertion of differentiated chains in local agribusiness. One of these experiences
is the Program for the Development of Irrigated Fruit Culture in
the Southern Half/RS. Within this context, this article has the objective of
presenting the results observed in the GDP and HDI of two municipalities
located in the Campanha Region of Rio Grande do Sul, and also to present
the effects observed on the life quality of the producers after the implementation
of fruit culture in their properties. Based on the data collected
and the methodology chosen, it can be said that the productive diversification
of rural properties contributes in the improvement of the producers’
life quality, having positive effects on the per capita GDP and HDI of the
municipalities studied.