The initiative grows in all Brazilian cities and, with the help of technology, expands its variety and quality
The right to quality food, sold at a fair price, makes urban agriculture an economic sector to be stimulated, as demonstrated by art. Unbox project.
But, while reaping benefits ranging from the environment to the basic health of an entire population, the often adopted business model, closely linked to the sense of community, can end up being co-opted by the market and become another luxury item, such as organic food products are perceived by those who only go to large supermarket chains and pay a high price to consume them.
To avoid this scenario, it is necessary to save the collective sense on which urban agriculture is based, precisely by removing the dependence of the population on food supply networks. And one way to do this could be to take a closer look at family farming and small rural producers.
77% of Brazilian agricultural centers are made up of family initiatives and small producers. But together they produce “only” 23% of what we eat. Perhaps urban agriculture can complement this initiative
First, I think it is worth pointing out how this business is set up in Brazil. In these parts a very high percentage of people are involved in this type of family production: 77% of the national agricultural centers are classified as such, employing 67% of the workforce in the countryside – I took these Nut of the federal government. But do you know how much of this production reaches the consumer? Only 23% of the total value of national agricultural production.
It is true that, with the advancement of the agrarian reform, small farmers have been able to distinguish themselves in some key sectors, such as the so-called permanent crops. This means that when it comes to producing coffee and bananas, this market share rises to 48%. As for the temporary foods that are quite present in the Brazilian diet – such as cassava / cassava / cassava -, the number reaches 80%.
Looking at these numbers, I think urban agriculture can be a great complement to this initiative.
So, just like in the healthcare sector, the idea of self-care is getting stronger, with people using gadgets and apps to take care of themselves, it seems natural to me that the search for lifestyle habits also comes to the table. healthier and what we serve daily.
Having an offer of natural and healthier products close to home, there in the neighborhood community garden or available in the hortifruti at an affordable price, is an idea that has everything to be successful. Eating a fruit and a vegetable grown by a small producer within the city can be the guarantee of consuming a food with more nutrients and without pesticides, like the values of organic farming.
Just as technology has favored self-care in health, it has all the credentials to be the ideal tool to expand this purpose also in the food sector, favoring the small crops typical of urban agriculture.
If self-care is good for health, the self-management of the business that urban agriculture offers is also excellent for those who make a living from it. In agri-food, often, the figure of the intermediary is the one who benefits most from the operation. Much more than those who produce the food.
Thus, even with the artifact of technology, it is possible for producers to connect directly with their consumer audiences – often this happens through a simple exchange of messages on WhatsApp -, allowing them to self-manage their business.
The search for sustainability, as I said before and I repeat it now, needs to be surrounded by an important tripod: economic, social and ecological. It’s okay only if it’s okay for everyone.
Rodrigo Guerra is an economist, entrepreneur and founder of the Unbox Project. He sees innovation as a social responsibility of leaders and not as a set of methodologies.
Source: Terra
Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.
