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Carthamus tinctorius, biodiesel, peasantry, Agricultural work, Woman in the field
The process of industrialization has boosted the consumption of fossil energy matrices, non-renewable, as a result of this unbridled use, we have the increase of environmental problems, with air pollution and increased greenhouse effect. These problems directly affect man and the entire ecosystem, whether marine or terrestrial. Of this art, it is necessary to expand research that look for less polluting, renewable energy matrices that still have high added value, besides being a tool for the inclusion of family(s) farmers in the energy production chain. One of the potential crops for this purpose is the safflower has high added value, with tolerance to the environmental conditions of the semiarid, marked by high temperatures, low humidity and low rainfall rates. Rio Grande do North is one of the states that presents these conditions, it is part of the drought polygon. The interior of the State is marked by family agricultural production responsible for meeting the demands of the urban region. This productive sector highlights the female participation, planting, cultivation, harvest and marketing in fairs that take place in many municipalities of the state. However, participation often has not had visibility, it is seen only as “help” even the woman working at home (cooking, washing, cleaning), caring for family (children, spouse), in caring for small animals (for consumption and marketing), in addition to working in the fields. The objective of this research is to evaluate three varieties of safflower grown in the northeastern semiarid region, regarding germination, development and productivity. The aim is also to understand the dynamics and participation of a group of women farmers in the interior of Rio Grande do North, in the context of family farming, in addition to verifying the group’s acceptance of the cultivation of potential oilseeds for the region. The farmers of the stream Site participate in a representative way in the agricultural activities and in the home, with work hours superior that of the men. This performance should be valued and object of reflection, seen as work by all society, no more than “help”, thus providing the widening of vision and its social role, further contributes to the construction of a society.