Family agro-industries, institutional markets and women’s empowerment

a discussion from Santana do Livramento/RS

Abstract

Nowadays, many issues involving rural family agro-industries (RFAs) are addressed. Here, we propose to study the relationship between the commercialization of products through institutional markets and its likely contribution for women’s empowerment. Thus, this article aimed to study the participation of rural family agro-industries in institutional markets from Santana do Livramento/RS, Brazil, relating it to the empowerment of women who own these agro-industries. Therefore, we carried out a case study and interviewed five RFAs owners in the city. The results show the satisfaction and intention of women in commercializing through institutional markets, but emphasize that operationalization needs improvement. Agro-industries contribute to women’s empowerment, despite rising working hours, then affecting other issues that impact their quality of life. Eventually, we understand that promoting commercialization through institutional markets has a high potential to increase the process of empowerment of women who own rural family agro-industries.