Socioeconomic Profile of Agricultural Producers and Production Systems in Municipalities of Piauí, Brazil

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report (Previous Reviewer 3)

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Abstract:

Clarify the rationale for choosing specific distributions (gamma, inverse Gaussian, etc.) to enhance transparency.

Address potential regional disparities in income or land size between the three municipalities, which may require tailored interventions.

Suggest specific interventions (e.g., soil conservation training, technology adoption) to make the conclusion more practical and impactful.

Introduction:

Highlight climate resilience and land degradation as challenges for floodplain farmers to strengthen the study's relevance.

Clarify how socioeconomic factors (income, gender, education) directly impact agricultural productivity or sustainability.

Materials and Methods:

Reinforce the significance of the selected sites (Amarante, Floriano, and Uruçuí) in representing broader floodplain agricultural practices in Piauí.

Briefly note how infrastructure (e.g., electricity, water, health services) affects agricultural practices or access to resources.

Mention how the Rapport technique facilitated trust-building with respondents.

Clarify whether the 219 interviewees were equally distributed across communities to assess potential sampling biases.

Mention how flexibility in semi-structured interviews helped uncover deeper insights into socio-economic challenges.

Discussion:

Expand on potential policy solutions, like government subsidies or tech transfers.

Discuss how gender and age specifically impact agricultural productivity.

Conclusion:

Clarify the connection between income, education, and property size to enhance narrative flow.

Discuss specific examples of successful programs or technologies that could be adopted in the region.

Address potential barriers to adopting traditional practices combined with modern technologies (e.g., access to resources).

Author Response

We were grateful for the approaches, and the choice of distributions requested was clarified in order to provide a cohesive and transparent explanation.

We addressed the disparity in income between the municipalities studied in an explanatory way, as we have done.

We also suggest interventions for soil conservation in the use of fallow land.

We introduced a text with a study highlighting land degradation and climate resilience in order to support the research as suggested and we accepted the suggestion.

We have also explained how the variables impact on agricultural production, making it easier to understand.

As highlighted, we have made the importance of the sites studied clearer to facilitate understanding.

We discussed how the infrastructure of electricity, water and health services is affecting agricultural practices and cultivation in a cohesive way.

We explained how the interviewees were distributed in the communities studied, explaining the reasons why.

We describe how the rapport technique facilitated the trust of the interviewees.

We also highlight socio-economic challenges found in the semi-structured interview.

We highlight solutions that help, such as government subsidies that encourage farmers to use sustainable agricultural techniques.

We address how gender and age are impacting on agricultural production, explaining and making the text more understandable.

We explain how the variables are relevant to understanding how they affect the sustainability of agricultural production.

We looked at examples of programs that could be used in the communities studied to promote the economic viability of agricultural activities and increase productivity

The entire article was reviewed and translated correctly into English.

We thank everyone for their contribution to improving the article. The reviews were made carefully, according to the proposed guidelines.

 

 

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report (New Reviewer)

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the socioeconomic profile of agricultural producers and production systems in municipalities of Piaui, Brazil, an area not covered by research in this field till now. The motivation of study is clearly underlined by the gaps in the literature, but the importance of the topic is ranforced by the recent data incorporated in the paper. In order to foster the social inclusion and sustainable growth in the area, there are necessary the measures for the implementation of proper technologies and for that we need a very precise identification of the socio-economic and production patterns. Factors as income, gender, education level, age, agricultural activity, property size were used to make a deep socioeconomic profile of agricultural producer. The methodology is very well presented, and it proves that the study was very well designed. The use of statistical methods and models is justified, and by specifying in a clear way the variables used it brings transparency to the study. The paper adds value to literature bringing to light the producer and the production patterns from a diverse area. The paper can be a starting point for other researchers in the area maybe focused on local economy and it also can be the turning point for authorities in order to orient towards public policies and implementing support in order to create more resilient and sustainable communities. 

 

Thank you!

Author Response

We appreciate your comments, which were extremely important for our research. We are working on the document in order to bring benefits to society in general. Critical analyses were carried out, addressing the relevance of in-depth studies of the socioeconomic profile of the communities studied and the existing social impact.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report (New Reviewer)

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1. Although the research motivation is reasonable, it is overly based on macroscopic descriptions and lacks specific descriptions and data support for the negative environmental impact of "Floodplain Agriculture." In addition, no comparative research with other regions or countries has been proposed, which makes the research background insufficient.
2. Most of the citations cited in the study are Brazilian domestic data, and the lack of citation and support of international academic resources affects the breadth and depth of research views.
3. In terms of abstraction of the subjects, using only a single visitor to represent the entire family may lead to information bias. It cannot fully consider decisions within the family. In addition, although the map information is detailed, climate change factors are not used as control variables, which may affect the effectiveness of the research conclusion.
4. Some misleading descriptions in the research results include "20 farmers' monthly income is as high as R$ 122,000.00". Data has not been cross-verified, and the calculation standard is unclear, which makes people feel strange and difficult to believe. Furthermore, gender analysis failed to reflect women's actual participation in their motivation, leading to the possibility of underestimating the role of women in agricultural activities. Research on the correlation between farmers' income and education level has also been too slim and lacks statistically significant confirmation.
5. The study conclusion lacks quantitative data support, such as failure to provide specific data on the expected benefits of adopting new technologies. In addition, the lack of sufficient consideration of factors such as climate risks and market demand changes has led to the conclusion being too idealized.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Literal translation presents several issues, including grammar and tone that fail to align with academic standards, overly simplistic vocabulary, insufficient logical cohesion leading to disjointed arguments, and the repetitive use of sentence structures and monotonous expressions.

Author Response

We highlighted climate resilience and land degradation as challenges for floodplain farmers to strengthen the relevance of the study.

We explain how socio-economic factors such as gender and education have a direct impact on agricultural productivity and sustainability. We also highlight the role of women in research.

We explain how the variables income and education contribute to agricultural production.

The whole issue of farmers' incomes was reorganized by checking it point by point and discussing it in a cohesive manner.

We address potential barriers to the adoption of traditional practices combined with modern technologies.

The entire document has been carefully proofread in English, as well as grammatical issues analyzed and contextualized.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report (Previous Reviewer 3)

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 Accept in present form

Author Response

We would like to thank them for their reviews, which were extremely important in enriching the article.

Reviewer 3 Report (New Reviewer)

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The research topic of this paper is valuable, but several areas need improvement. First, the theoretical framework is incomplete, there is a lack of systematic literature review, and the connection between research questions and objectives is not close enough. Secondly, the methodological description is insufficient, the sample selection process is not detailed, and the reasons for selecting statistical analysis methods are inadequate. In terms of results, the data presentation is not systematic enough, some chart labels are unclear, and there is a lack of discussion of statistical significance. The discussion section fails to compare the research findings with existing literature adequately, and the discussion of policy implications is not in-depth enough. If the above corrections can be completed, the value of this article will be improved.

Author Response

An improved systematic review was carried out between the terms and concepts and the entire context for better cohesion and understanding of the text as indicated. We also made a connection between the research questions and the objectives, ensuring a systematic understanding.

We describe the selection of the research sample. We give reasons for the choice of statistical analysis in order to improve understanding and comprehension of the text.

We reorganized the presentation of the data in a systematic way as instructed, clarifying the labels of the graphs to generate meaningful discussion of them.

The discussion section was aligned and compared with the literature presented.

The entire article was reviewed and translated correctly into English.

We thank everyone for their contribution to improving the article. The reviews were made carefully, according to the proposed guidelines.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

This manuscript is a resubmission of an earlier submission. The following is a list of the peer review reports and author responses from that submission.

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Remarks article.

Summary

The abstract does not specify well the objective of the research, does not describe the methodology for the analysis of the results and there is no coherence between the results and the conclusions.

Introduction

In the introduction, in the handling of quotations, there is no numerical order between them, for example, it refers to quotations 1, 2, 3, 4 and from line 36, it continues with quotations 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27. Then on line 65, it continues with quotations 5, 6... and on line 72, it inverts 8 and then 7, which makes it more difficult to read.

There is no adequate handling of the information to guide the reader to where the research is directed, the information is mixed, and it is not structured according to what is stated as the objective. In the introduction, it addresses various topics such as flood agriculture, the SDGs, the socio-economic profile and public policies. However, the lack of logical connection between them makes it difficult for the reader to identify how they relate to the objective of the article. I suggest reorganizing the themes to follow a common thread that culminates in the relevance of the socio-economic profile of agricultural producers.

The objective does not show a significant scope of the importance of the research. For example, it mentions that the socio-economic profile is studied, refers to the production systems in the regions determined as the study area, and gives a detailed overview of local living conditions and agricultural practices. At no point does it mention a correlation between the study variables.

Materials and methods

- It is not specified how the sample size is determined.

- Mention the scope of the research and the treatment of the information obtained.

- It is advisable to annex the instrument used and refer to the group of questions corresponding to each study variable.

- Specify more clearly how statistical management was carried out, as the information is very ambiguous.

Analysis of results

- From lines 246 to 254 there is a bad translation of the text, showing texts in another language.

- In the statistical analyses of significance (age, sex, years of residence in the place), they do not relate to the purpose of the research objective. It refers to the need for analysis of public policies, making inference to the age factor and management of technologies in the production processes, when these issues are not yet being analysed.

- Lines 313 to 316 show inconsistency in the management of producers' incomes.

- Again, in lines 324-326, he refers to the management of public policies when the contents of the research do not develop the current state of agricultural policy in the study area.

- In lines 329-330 he refers to figure 9, which is not contained in the document.

- I suggest in the following that the authors redesign the proposal so that it can be submitted for review. 

 

ADDITIONAL NOTE ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE DRAFTING

 

The level of English in the writing is intermediate. There are difficulties in constructing sentences and points of view in a correct way by using too many connectors that do not allow us to take an idea as concise. Basic vocabulary is used to construct assertions and points of view. A higher level of grammar is recommended to avoid repetitive structures.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript address an important topic about the socioeconomic profile of agricultural producers and production systems in the state of Piauí in Brazil. However, I believe there are significant weaknesses that need to be addressed. The analysis is overly descriptive and lacks critical interpretation of the data, particularly regarding gender inequality, income disparity, and sustainable agricultural practices. There is little connection between the findings and actionable policy recommendations or global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which limits the broader relevance of the work. The methodology is also a concern, as the use of non-parametric statistical tests is not sufficiently justified, and potential biases in sampling or data collection are not adequately addressed. While the figures and tables are clear, they do not go beyond basic data presentation and fail to provide deeper insights, such as comparisons or geographic patterns. Additionally, the reliance on local and outdated references weakens the manuscript’s scientific impact. To improve the work, I recommend a more in-depth discussion of sustainability, with explicit links to the SDGs and specific policy interventions; a stronger critical analysis of systemic issues like gender and income disparities; a clearer justification of methodological choices; and an updated reference list with recent and impactful studies. These improvements are necessary to enhance the clarity, rigor, and relevance of the manuscript.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Abstract

Provide a more specific research objective or hypothesis. The abstract could clarify what exactly the study aimed to understand or explain in the socioeconomic profile and agricultural production systems. For example: "This study aimed to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics and agricultural production practices of farmers in three municipalities in Piauí, Brazil."

Include the range of incomes and the exact number of participants from each location. Instead of stating "most producers reported a monthly income of up to R$ 3,000.00," specify the percentage or range (e.g., "X% of producers reported a monthly income of up to R$ 3,000.00").

Conclude the abstract by linking the study's results to potential applications or recommendations. For instance: "These findings highlight the need for targeted public policies that address income disparities, support small-scale farming, and promote agricultural sustainability in the region."

Introduction

Please write a logically structured and complete paragraph.

The introduction introduces several key concepts agriculture, sustainability, public policies, and flood recession agriculture but lacks a clear and concise statement of the specific research focus. You could strengthen the introduction by explicitly stating the research questions or hypotheses early on. For example: "This study aims to explore how flood recession agriculture impacts the socioeconomic profile of farmers in Piauí, Brazil, and to analyze the role of gender and geographical location in shaping agricultural practices and living conditions."

The introduction contains multiple references to concepts and literature that, while relevant, can be streamlined for better clarity. For instance, the paragraph discussing the Green Revolution, SDGs, and the Zero Hunger Program could be shortened by combining the ideas into a more concise argument. Focus on introducing the main topics in a clear, logical order. For example: "Brazil's agricultural sector faces significant challenges, including the loss of biodiversity and the need for sustainable farming practices, which are particularly pronounced in the semi-arid regions like Piauí. The federal government's initiatives, such as the Zero Hunger Program, aim to support family farming and address these challenges through local policy interventions."

The paragraph that discusses flood recession agriculture is introduced abruptly and could be better linked to the previous ideas. A smoother transition would help guide the reader from the general background to the specific topic of the study. For instance, instead of stating, "Flood recession agriculture is a practice...," you might connect it to earlier discussions about agricultural sustainability by saying, "As part of the broader challenges in Brazil's agriculture, flood recession agriculture especially prevalent in the Semiarid region represents both a vital practice for local livelihoods and a source of environmental concerns."

Materials and Methods

Provide a clearer rationale for selecting the municipalities. The selection criteria mention GDP and agriculture, but these could be explained in more detail. For instance, clarify why these specific crops (paddy rice, common beans, etc.) were chosen as indicators of agricultural prominence, and how they relate to the research's objectives. Example: "These municipalities were selected due to their prominent agricultural activities, particularly the cultivation of paddy rice and common beans, which are key crops in the region's flood recession agriculture system and relevant to the study of socioeconomic factors affecting farmers."

Define the age range more precisely and provide further detail on how participants were selected. Instead of just stating "individuals aged to 80 years," it would be helpful to specify the age range more clearly (e.g., "individuals aged 18 to 80 years"). Additionally, briefly describe how the participants were recruited, beyond just signing the consent form, to give a more complete picture of the sampling process. For example: "Participants were selected based on their experience with flood recession agriculture and their involvement in local farming practices, with a focus on ensuring diverse representation across gender, age, and location."

Consider providing more detail on the semi-structured interview process and the coding of qualitative data. For instance, mention how data were recorded during interviews (e.g., audio recording, note-taking) and how qualitative responses were analyzed. If a coding system or software (like NVivo or MAXQDA) was used for qualitative data analysis, mention it. Example: "Qualitative responses from interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic coding to identify key patterns in responses related to socioeconomic factors and farming practices."

While the statistical methods are mentioned (Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests), it would be useful to explain why these tests were specifically chosen (i.e., because of non-normality in the data) and how they were applied to the different variables. You could also clarify if any post-hoc tests or adjustments for multiple comparisons were made.

Results and discussion

Please separate the Results and Discussion sections.

Conclusions

Explicitly highlight the most significant findings that emerged from the study. For example, rather than just stating the need for policies on rural succession, mention how the findings on gender, age, income, and farm size specifically point to areas for improvement.

Integrate references to relevant SDGs or national/regional development priorities that align with your conclusions.

Offer more concrete recommendations for policymakers or rural development programs, and suggest potential areas for further research to build on your findings.