Family agro-industry: barriers and achievements in the way of legalization

Abstract

The study aimed to characterize the legalized agribusinesses in the State Program of Agribusiness Sabor Gaúcho located in the Celeiro Region of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. The theoretical references used for the research were obtained through a historical cultural analysis of agro-industries and family agriculture. The methodology is a qualitative descriptive study that was obtained through a questionnaire used to the managers of the family agro-industries in the year 2014, which allowed the identification and characterization of 17 agro-industries included in the Program State of Family Agro-industry (PEAF), Sabor Gaúcho™, Rio Grande do Sul. Through the results obtained it was possible to identify that the greatest difficulties faced by farmers who own agroindustries in the legalization process are related to

legislation, bureaucracy, lack of information and lack of financial resources. Among the positive aspects observed, after the legalization, highlight the increase in sales, increase of profits, improvements in work space, greater safety in the transportation of products and greater appreciation and credibility. The label «Sabor Gaúcho»™, in turn, was evidenced as a consolidated brand of family farming, which provides benefits that include greater dissemination and greater appreciation of the products of family agro-industries. The study also reinforces the need for greater investments and public policies in support of family agro-industries to enable their legalization and keep them in operation.