Organic onion production with small farmers

Abstract

The objective was to develop of participative manner an organic onion production system with small farmers of Alto Vale do Itajaí region, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Two plots of the production was carried out in two small farmers in the counties of Aurora and Rio do Sul. The research was carried out during 2004, 2005 and 2006. The agronomists of the agricultural extension and research public service provide to technical advice and support of manner that the knowledge of farmer was considered to generate the system of manner horizontal with interaction and collaboration between subjects. The yield alternated between 11 t.ha-1 and 15 t.ha-1, similar regional values to the small farmers by the 2 ha (15 t.ha-1), with low external input farming against system with high use in agrochemicals. The cost of organic onion was lower in external inputs, but demand more farm labor power with hand weeding. Although the maximum yield has not yet reached, the organic production use low external inputs and reduce impacts to the human health, environment and economic costs. The farmers deal the onion in local market and in São Paulo City with certification by audit and in participative process in developing. The farmers indicate the low farm family’s labor power availability, the requirement of certification and organization of the commercialization in groups, the fetters of the system. This work allowed the interaction between the agricultural extension and research public service, the small farmers and yours groups.