The Coronavirus crisis and the vegetable farmer

Abstract

The objective was to study the main and immediate effects of the Coronavirus crisis (Covid-19), in particular on the commercialization of vegetables produced in agricultural establishments called family farms. To carry out this study, bibliographic review and also semi-directed interviews were used. The study points out that the major social differentiation among rural producers resulting from this pandemic has a close relation with the dominant marketing channel. It appears that producers who sell to supermarkets, directly or indirectly, are able to maintain their output on a more regular basis, since these establishments remain open because they are “essential services”. But a considerable part of family farmers who indirectly depend on the operation of restaurants and open fairs are in a situation of greater economic vulnerability. Another important marketing channel for the family farmer is so-called institutional purchases, in particular, the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) and National School Food Program (PNAE). For the PAA, the modality most used by family farmers has been “Purchase with Simultaneous Donation”, which has shown a steep decrease since 2013. PNAE, in its turn, reduced acquisitions due to the temporary closure of schools in several municipalities. It is concluded that PNAE and PAA are programs that constitute concrete alternatives to minimize the impacts caused by the current crisis on family farmers also guaranteeing food to people in the most vulnerable conditions.