Agroforestry Production and Sales by Family Farmers
Translated from Portuguese. Original published by PRETATERRA.
Agroforestry systems, due to their diversity of products in the same management unit, are ideal production systems for family farmers. Farming families do not depend on just one product, they have a diverse harvest throughout the year, in addition to producing food for their own consumption.
Biodiverse agroforestry system with a focus on vegetables
It is important to remember that sale is a key point for the success of agroforestry production. There are several opportunities for sale, depending on the diversity of products, the degree of processing and added value, the proximity to the consumer market and the organization of the community where the farmer is located.
Direct selling, at producer fairs or solidarity consumer groups, is a great option.
Farmers’ market in Alta Floresta, MT.
However, many producers have great difficulty accessing markets, and consumers do not know where to find these products.
For those who would like to encourage this type of production but don't know of any initiative, I recently discovered an application, Responsa, developed by the EITA cooperative (Education, Information and Technology for Self-management), which brings together on a large map all the initiatives of farmers’ markets, responsible consumption groups, sales of agroecological products, organic restaurants, etc.
Display of the Responsa app, indicating agroecological and peasant family farming initiatives.
To make agroforestry production viable and expand, it is necessary to promote the sale of these products. Therefore, closer connections and transparency between farmers and consumers is essential.
