THE AGRIBUSINESS BEEF CATTLE IN ARAGUAÍNA (TOCANTINS)

TERRITORIALITY AND SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION

Abstract

The municipality of Araguaína, located in the northern region of the state of Tocantins (TO), has had beef cattle raising as its most important agribusiness activity since the 1980s. The municipality has 1050 rural properties, carrying out livestock activity, in addition to many rural properties in neighboring municipalities. The research aims to analyze the process of territorialization of the beef cattle agribusiness in the municipality of Araguaína from the symbolic power attributed to the ox, as well as the discourses of the cattle ranching elite and the representatives of the field union and the participation of the State in the process of growth of the agribusiness activities. The research also seeks to observe the public policies implemented for the various actors involved in this activity, as well as the concerns and impact on the environment. From a methodological point of view, the work had contributions from the participation of researchers in meetings of the Rural Union of Araguaína (SRA) and in the Agricultural Exhibition of Araguaína (EXPOARA/2018). Semi-structured questionnaires were applied, involving 30 participants of the 30th horseback riding, which took place on June 10 of the 2018 edition, in the city of Araguaína. For data treatment, content analysis and narrative analysis were performed based on the interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee. Beef cattle farming gives Araguaína an economic advantage, above all, linked to symbolic power.