Speaker
Description
This experience relates to agroecological foods production and distribution to socially vulnerable families in Santo Ângelo/RS/Brazil. This work took place at Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha (IFFar) and involved research, teaching and extension. Among the goals of this project were: vegetables seedlings production for urban community gardens, as well as production for consumption and to donate to municipal social assistance entities and indigenous peoples. The agroecology principles were followed throughout the production stage, adopting practices such as: organic compost and earthworm humus from the very garden; organic fertilizers and biofertilizers; biological control, repellent and companion plants, intercropping and crop rotation, ground mulch, among others. At the same time, a demonstrative and evaluative area for both conventional and biofortified cassava varieties, which contribute to diminish malnourishment and hidden hunger, has been set up, while valorizing this culturally relevant food in said region. From the donations given, it was possible to cater to 11 different groups and entities, which in turn cater to socially vulnerable people such as retirement homes and girls’ foster home; indigenous people, public school students; and to provide wider access, diversification and feeding, favoring life and health quality for these families.
