The Laços do Agro platform, that connects small producers from 50 cities in Paraná to the consumer market, has just completed two years of operation, standing out as an essential tool for the integration of cooperatives and the encouragement of sustainable growth of small rural producers. The initiative already envisions a million-dollar revenue and significant improvements for the future
The Brazilian agribusiness, responsible for 21,1% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is strongly driven by family farming. It is estimated that 5% of this total comes from the properties of small rural entrepreneurs, that provide fresh vegetables, ground coffee and milk in bottles. Data from Family Agriculture and Cooperativism reinforce the crucial role of these small farmers in the national economy
In Paraná, the Laços do Agro platform has been essential for connecting the field to the buying market. The initiative, that unites producers and cooperatives, shortens distances between production and buyers, facilitating inventory management, sales contracts and delivery schedules
"The Laços do Agro project has achieved excellent results", with the participation of more than 50 cities and over 700 producers who downloaded the app. Furthermore, more than 20 cooperatives are using the solutions offered by Laços do Agro to improve production stock management, two sales contracts and the delivery schedule, explain Leandro Scalabrin, CEO of the SWA group, technology company based in Paraná, specialized in software development
For 2024, Laços do Agro expects revenue to exceed R$ 3 million, with the goal of reaching 200 cooperatives and more than 20,000 producers. "We are committed to improving our indicator panels to assist governments in developing public policies aimed at family farming". With more accurate and comprehensive data, we can provide relevant and updated information, allowing governments to make more assertive and effective decisions, details Scalabrin
Laços do Agro is a mobile-accessible platform that improves efficiency, transparency and communication among producers, cooperatives and agricultural technicians. With resources to manage sales contracts, monitor delivery schedules and manage payments, the platform allows identifying products already marketed, allowing interested farmers to express their interest in cultivating them
The clear and intuitive layout allows workers to clearly view their planned delivery dates and record each step of their production activities. The platform also notifies the cooperative about incidents that may affect the delivery schedule, Scalabrini account
Agricultural technicians, together with representatives of Laços do Agro, schedule visits, they monitor the production schedule and activities, generate individual visit reports, they track contractual allocations and clients, and receive immediate notifications about any incidents in production. This simplifies the management of all phases of the production process
We seek to provide a guaranteed sale and empower small producers, inserting them into larger markets. "We want to show that it is not necessary to be a giant producer to have security in the field and achieve good results", celebrates Scalabrini
Entrepreneurship History
Leandro Scalabrin, son of rural producers, he saw in the difficult situation faced by his family an opportunity to start a business and boost the development of the region where he lived, in Realeza, in Paraná. With determination and vision, he started a new business that brought prosperity to his family and contributed to local economic growth
"Each harvest brought the same challenges: let's sell"? What will the price be? How to plan? Even though my parents were simple people, coming from the field, they always encouraged us, to me and my brothers, to study and learn. When I had the opportunity to go to the city in search of studies, these worries always kept me awake, explain Scalabrin
With studies completed and work in technology, Scalabrin sought ways to turn the problems of the field into solutions. "Today, we are sure that the platform brings together several small producers, makes them great, ensures the quality of the product and the certainty that the rural producer will sell each vegetable plant, highlights
Laços do Agro continues to grow and consolidate as a vital tool for family farming in Paraná, promoting efficient integration between producers and the consumer market
