IMPACTOS DA SECA HISTÓRICA: DISPONIBILIDADE DE ALIMENTOS NA FEIRA DO PRODUTOR RURAL DE COARI-AMAZONAS

Abstract

The ebb and flow cycles of rivers are characteristic of the northern region of Brazil and significantly shape the dynamics of local communities, including the production and transportation of food. In the second half of 2023, the Amazon population faced a period of historic drought, in which river levels reached their lowest levels in 121 years, due to a series of factors, such as deforestation and global warming. The objective is to discuss the availability of food at the Rural Producer's Market in the municipality of Coari (Amazonas-Brazil) in three hydrological moments: flood, historic drought and transition. In a cross-sectional and descriptive manner, the NOVA-Based Food Environment Audit (AUDIT-NOVA) instrument was used to record the foods available at the municipal market in May and December 2023 and in July 2024. The results show the low availability of foods during the extreme drought period (6 types, these being only from the group of roots and tubers and vegetables), in relation to the flood period (55 types) and the transition period (45 types), evidencing a worrying scenario regarding access to natural foods in the municipality in this scenario of historic drought and its possible impacts on food and nutritional security conditions, which are already historically precarious, among the local population. It is concluded, given the reality presented, that public policies and the targeting of actions in the region during climate events are essential, and more important than encouraging and promoting the consumption of healthy foods, is to address issues related to access to these types of foods in the consumer/community environment.