Dois exemplos de espaços agrários na Ribeira do Lima : Bertiandos - Estorãos

Abstract

In the Ribeira Lima area, which is dominated by agricultural activity, the local economy is based on a most inadequate agricultural structure. There are many reasons for this; this article attempts to emphasize the historical-judicial factor. In particular note is made of the mandatory institution which proliferated in this area from the 15th to the 19th century; it was then substituted by new legislation which promoted the equal share of landed estate between all legatees. In order to be able to judge the importance of this factor and its projection on the actual agrarian structure, the a, examine Bertiandos, a typical example of a local district which was subject to a mandate until this institution was revoked. The a. notes that the agrarian structure of Bertiandos was extremely inadequate, as was the type of local farmer; the a. concludes that it is desirable — indeed urgent — that a restructuring take place, which would lead to the viability of local farms. The a. notes that this change would necessarily have to include the agrarian structure. Yet this solution is not new; since the end of the 1960s Estoraos (the other chosen example) has attempted a division of the land, which demonstrates that this movement is viable both from the economic and social points of view. However, the desired expansion did not take place; on the contrary a constant degradation of the farming units took place.