Settled women and quilombolas in organic food production: results of university extension actions

Abstract

The objective of this article is to present the results of extension activities developed by university professors and students, together with women and men living in areas of agrarian reform and quilombola territories, organized around organic production, in the cultivation of vegetables, legumes and fruits, as well as involved in the production of honey and milk. The intention was to point out the dynamics of production and its results in the lives of people and the places where they live. In the quilombola territory, located near the city of Dourados, in Mato Grosso do Sul/Brazil, several extension projects are developed, among them: courses on food preparation, production pricing, organization of menus for meal preparation, production of vegetables, legumes and fruits with an organic base; courses on bread and biscuit production techniques; courses on use/transformation, commercialization of production and value addition. As a result, it was found that the actions developed with settled and quilombola women, involved in the organic production of honey, vegetables and legumes, are strengthening and enabling the production chain of healthy foods, from the production of honey, coming from the potential of the forests, as well as forming support networks with settled families, creating groups for production in community gardens and forming orchards with fruit trees. This new struggle has been energizing small properties and producing, in addition to food, it promotes contentment, motivation to move forward and improve the daily lives of families.