Abstract This work aimed to characterize the production system of artisan cheese makers in Currais Novos, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), thereby assessing the existence of a production standard and helping to create a region with a recognized geographical indication. Eleven artisanal cheese makers were visited, and a structured interview was conducted. The results showed that all the cheese makers work with raw milk; they all have a health record, and 64% need to be aware of the specific legislation. They are considered family cheese makers, as the owner or spouse comprises 82% of the production. They have been in business for less than 11 years (54%), and all of them use industrial rennet and add boiling water and salt to make the Coalho cheese. All the establishments use a wood-fired oven to cook the butter cheese in stainless steel pots (75%), and stir it with wooden spatulas (50%). With the right policies and investment, there is room for improvement in the cheese-making system, possible growth, and recognition of the activity as traditional and peculiar. Novos RN, RN , (RN) indication visited conducted milk record 64 legislation 82 1 54%, 54 54% (54%) woodfired wood fired 75%, 75 75% (75%) 50%. 50 50% . (50%) investment cheesemaking making growth peculiar (RN 6 8 5 (54% 7 (75% (50% (54 (75 (50 (5 (7 (

Resumo Esse trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de um Índice de Susceptibilidade ao Fenômeno da Seca (ISFS) para o semiárido nordestino brasileiro, que considera além da climatologia, aspectos da natureza física e uso dos solos, aspectos econômicos, sociais e os riscos de perda da safra agrícola e de falta de água para consumo humano e animal. O índice foi desenvolvido tendo como base o Índice FUNCEME de Severidade de seca (IFS) e foi elaborado usando ferramentas propostas pelo Joint Research Centre/Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (JRC/OECD), e usando também técnicas de preenchimento de dados com falhas e winsorização. Ele foi testado e validado com os dados reais do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte em três cenários climatológicos (ano seco, normal e chuvoso). Foram realizados também um teste de análise multivariada e uma simulação de Monte Carlo para a análise de sensibilidade e robustez do modelo desenvolvido, cujos resultados validaram a sua composição e os resultados obtidos com dados reais. O ISFS pode ser utilizado como uma ferramenta de auxílio aos decisores, em vários níveis governamentais, para orientar as ações de socorro às áreas atingidas pela seca.

Abstract This work presents the development of a composite Index of Susceptibility to Drought (ISD) for semiarid Brazilian Northeast that considers climatology, physical properties, soil usage, social and economic aspects, the risk of harvest losses and the shortage of human and animal drinking water. The index started with the Index FUNCEME of drought Severity (IFS), developed by FUNCEME. Then, it evolved to use some tools proposed by the Joint Research Centre/Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (JRC/OECD), as well as techniques of multiple imputation for missing data and data winsorization. The work was tested and validated with real data from Rio Grande do Norte State in three climatologic scenarios (dry, regular and rainy). A multivariate analysis test and a Monte Carlo simulation were also produced for a sensibility and strength analysis of the developed model. These analyses validated the composition model and the obtained results with real data. The ISD can be used as a tool to support decision makers in various government levels to help guide the actions for the drought-affected areas.