Agricultural production, value adding and marketing by Family Farming in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul

Abstract

Family farming has a huge socioeconomic importance in Mato Grosso do Sul, accounting for a significant portion in generating jobs and income in the state. It stands out in the category local development, minimizing rural exodus and promoting food and nutrition security. Even so, different organizations representing farmers report that this sector faces serious problems in different productive chains links. It is in this context that this study was performed in order to identify the main productive activities aiming income generation, some aspects of value adding to production and marketing channels, as well as targeting to discuss solutions to improve the sale of family farming products in the state. The study was conducted in July 2014, involving thirty farmers from different regions of Mato Grosso do Sul. The data were obtained from random interviews during area events. A semi-structured questionnaire with open and closed questions composed the interviews. The material was organized and processed electronically, using the software Statistical Package for Social Sciences - SPSS (version 21). The results show that most farmers declared that add value to the production, but that this process occurs, especially, for self-consumption and has handmade characteristics. Direct selling is the most common marketing method for these farmers in a location where the sale to intermediaries is still high. Production flow is the main bottleneck in the marketing process. Thus, it is concluded that there are many difficulties for the sustainable development of family farming in Mato Grosso do Sul, with urgent need to adopt proactive stances from governments to support it, which should be promoted in all production chains links.