Strategies and legal regulations in the production of organic seeds and seeds for own use
Organic seeds. Seed legislation. Agroecology
Due to growth in food security, the organic food sector is clear on the national scene in Brazil. Some of the requirements, defined in the legislation, which differentiates the system considered organic from the conventional, is the use of seeds produced under organic management, however there is lack of this propagative material for producers. The legalization process, both for seed production and organic food production, which need to be carried out simultaneously, has generated doubts and weakened the sector, therefore, this work aims to assist organic producers in the production and acquisition of organic seeds and systematize bureaucratic processes to facilitate producers to access to the organic seeds which are interested in produce seeds, whether in commercialization or production for their own use. Clarifying the right to exemptions in legislation and the adequacy completes the two current legislations. A technical booklet was created, commented, and referenced in the law, explaining each step of the legalization process. This work also shows the process of creating a micro-enterprise that served to exemplify and present the necessary documents, demonstrating in practice the challenges of each stage of the legalization process. With this, it was possible to infer that the bureaucratic process has been an influence on the low availability of organic seeds for producers, family farmers and those interested in producing seeds for their own use. Complying with two pieces of legislation simultaneously and the lack of specific rules and exemptions makes it difficult to legalize and operate micro-enterprises and small producers to produce organic seeds in small volumes. The delay in evolution and constant changes in legislation cause difficulties in understanding and uncertainty in investing in the production of legalized seeds, mainly in the organic and family farming sectors, as well as in the acquisition of seeds and production of seeds for own use. The publication and access to didactic, explanatory, and commented material, from the perspective of a technical professional and entrepreneur, on the systematization of legalization and operation in the production of organic seeds is essential for the guidance of technicians and organic farmers who are interested in acquiring independence in the acquisition of seeds. The lack of specialized companies in the field highlights the difficulties encountered at all stages of the process from the foundation to the legalized operation of small companies and farmers' associations in the activity and the lack of interest of large companies in the organic seeds market.