Population knowledge to organic product in coastal region of Paraná state, Brazil

Abstract

Coastal region of Paraná state has been characterized by sustainable agricultural systems and also by requiring activities that reduce poverty in the countryside. Organic production systems fit properly for this context and it follows that is necessary to stimulate local trading of their products. In order to estimate local population knowledge regarding organic product, a questionnaire was applied in each municipality. It was found that 60% know what means organic product and 49,5% have already consumed. In Paranaguá, which has 53% of the regional population, most people don’t know and neither had already consumed organic products. In the region 48,2% don’t know how to identify an organic product and, it was appointed the "certification logo" as the main way to do that (19,1%), followed by "trusting the producer/trader" option (12,7%). Most think the main advantage of organic products is because they are "healthy and nutritive", followed by the "no chemicals" and "preserving the environment". Organic lettuce and tomato were identified as the most consumed in the region. It’s suggested that Paranaguá is prioritized for activities that enhance organic product.