Feiras agroecológicas e orgânicas como estratégia de geração da renda de agricultores e agricultoras familiares: um estudo de caso em Fortaleza/CE

Abstract

Agroecological and organic fairs are spaces dedicated to the sale of food and products derived mainly from production without the use of pesticides. However, they shouldn't be limited to that, as these locations also need to provide income, fair prices, and quality of life for family farmers. The question this research aims to answer is: to what extent do organic and agroecological fairs contribute to improving the income of family farmers who choose this form of commercializing their products? To that end, the objective was to analyze the role of organic and agroecological fairs held in Fortaleza in promoting the income of family farmers. An exploratory research approach was chosen, and semi-structured interviews were used as a research technique at the Adahil Barreto Park Agroecological Fair and the Pinhões Cultural Market Organic Products Fair, both located in the municipality of Fortaleza. In addition, observations were made regarding how these fairs are organized, how they operate, and if there is diversity and quality in the products offered for sale. Thus, it was observed that all interviewed vendors relied on income from fair sales as their main source, generating quality of life for them and their respective families. This means they don't need to sell at traditional open-air markets or through middlemen, factors that would reduce their profits. Furthermore, it was observed that the variety of foods and products was greater at the fair considered agroecological, as it had a larger number of vendors compared to the organic fair studied. However, both showed that farmers are concerned with bringing different and quality products to their customers. It is concluded that organic and agroecological fairs are extremely important for ensuring a better life for family farmers, as well as strengthening relationships between vendors and consumers, as they are direct sales spaces, offering food free of toxic substances, fresh, recently harvested, bringing hope for a greener and healthier future.