COVID-19 and the fragility of Brazilian small farming resilience

Authors

  • Marcelle Candido Cordeiro Production Engineering Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Luan Santos Production Engineering Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Macaé, Brazil
  • Lino G. Marujo Production Engineering Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14488/BJOPM.2021.027

Keywords:

COVID-19, short food supply chains, resilience, fruit and vegetable value chains

Abstract

Goal: The paper aims to investigate the insights of the resilience mechanisms of Brazilian small farms facing COVID-19.

Design / Methodology / Approach: The research path involves three cases studies: two small but relevant producers of fruit and vegetable and a cooperative of family farmers in Rio de Janeiro through semi-structured interviews and concept maps. We also made data triangulation using literature review.

Results: We observed that the main challenges for resilience in agro business are: 1) tight budgets and difficulty in accessing credit, 2) Many producers are in an informal fiscal situation, 3) Lack of human resources, 4) Low-technology methods, 5) Difficulty in adding value to "raw" products.  Besides, we have also identified a dangerous reduction in federal investments in family farming incentive programs in recent years, which may have worsened the weaknesses of these businesses in the face of COVID-19

Limitations of the investigation: Since this is a qualitative study for preliminary investigation of the topic through mental models, the sample of focal respondents was small (three cases).

Practical implications: This study enables the analysis of the Brazilian small farms challenges to survive in times of growing uncertainty.

Originality / Value: This research lays the foundations for future research to explore the underlying theory and practice involved, with the aim of creating resilient local supply chains.

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Published

2021-04-22

How to Cite

Cordeiro, M. C., Santos, L., & Marujo, L. G. (2021). COVID-19 and the fragility of Brazilian small farming resilience. Brazilian Journal of Operations & Production Management, 18(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.14488/BJOPM.2021.027

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2021)

Section

Case study

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