FAMILY FARMING: PROFILE OF THE PRODUCTION OF CONVENTIONAL AND ORGANIC VEGETABLES SOLD IN STREET MARKETS

Abstract

The study aims to characterize the production profile of conventional and organic vegetables sold in free fairs. The research was carried out in street markets in the municipality of Chapecó-SC, together with producers selling fresh vegetables (vegetables and/or fruits), and was approved by the Ethics Committee under opinion 4,803,153. Data collection consisted of applying a semi-structured questionnaire, in person in August 2021. 30 vegetable and/or fruit marketers were identified, 17 conventional and 13 organic producers. Males predominated, with a mean age of 53.5 years, with secondary education or less and monthly family income of up to three minimum wages. All reported knowing the risks associated with the use of pesticides, most said they used PPE and respected the grace period for pesticides. Most properties of organic producers were certified and the most frequently used alternatives to pesticides included pepper extract, weeding and manual collection. The profile of the producers and the way of production show risks to the sustainability of the food supply in street markets. Public policies need to be implemented to ensure the sustainability of family farming and to encourage the production of organic food.