Training family farmers to manage fruit growing in the municipality of Alenquer, Pará

Abstract

Brazilian fruit farming has proven to be a productive alternative for generating income for the families that develop it, especially family farmers. In the state of Pará, the production of citrus fruits, especially Amazonian fruits, has stood out on the national scene. However, it is necessary to overcome the challenges imposed by the lack of technical assistance, incentives for technological investments, as well as compliance with the legal requirements applicable to this segment. In this context, this work aimed to train family farmers for the management of fruit farming in the municipality of Alenquer, western Pará state, through an extension project implemented by the Extension Promotion Program of the Federal Uni­versity of Western Pará (UFOPA). The activities were carried out from July 2023 to June 2024, through theoretical and practical workshops, involving themes such as: agroecological production, good practices in the manufacture of pulps and business management, with the participation of approximately 30 family farmers from the Association of Small Producers, extractivists and artisanal fish­ermen - ASPROEXPA. The implementation of the Project encouraged the partici­pation of students from the Alenquer Campus in the courses of Administration, Public Management and Law, technicians and teachers, who are members of the Center for Administration, Development and Society in the Amazon – NADESA, Teaching, Research and Extension Program of UFOPA/Alenquer Campus. Thus, the Project contributed to the professionalization of family farmers throughout the fruit production chain, promoting the strengthening of family farming, food security and social, economic and environmental sustainability in the territory.