Aggregation of Value to Vegetables Produced by Family Farmers

Abstract

Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) has a large number of family farmers with the potential to increase production and add value to their products. As products of plant origin are seasonal and perishable it becomes important to use low cost technologies that provide increased shelf life and added value to them. In this way it is possible to reduce vegetable waste and increase the income of family farmers. The Agrarian Development and Rural Extension Agency (Agraer) carried out an extension action during the Agricultural Exhibition of Campo Grande (Expogrande) with the objective of training small rural producers of MS in the use of their products. In this sense a workshop was held on the production of pickles from vegetables commonly produced by local farmers. Pitcher processing technology was passed on step-by-step and family farmers were able to appropriate knowledge of a simple, low-cost technology that could add value and durability to family-produced vegetables.