Challenges for the traceability of vegetables in Brazil

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to present the main challenges faced by horticulturists to adhere to traceability for the monitoring and control of pesticide residues. As methodological procedures for the exploratory research, interviews and online meetings were held based on a snowball sampling, which were later validated in meeting with the sector key actors. As main results, we observed that the challenges are greater for small farmers, due to the low managerial capacity, low education, and rare technical assistance, in addition to the lack of registered pesticides for some crops. Similarly, among wholesalers and intermediaries, those of the smallest economic power adhere less to the norms. In all situations, supervision is insufficient. Therefore, is necessary to outline a policy to strengthen small producers and the most fragile marketing channels, in addition to strengthening inspection and resolving the issue of pesticide registration for minor crop vegetables.