Marolo (annona crassiflora mart.): generating labor and rent

Abstract

The present article aims to relate the activities developed and the results obtained, in the research and extension projects on Marolo (Annona crassiflora Mart.), performed by the Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL- MG) in association with the Empresa de Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural de Minas Gerais (EMATER-MG) as well as other institutions. For this purpose, there were actions taken in the sense of checking the participation of the commercialization of marolo in the generation of rent and labor for rural families; surveying the selection conditions, preparation of fruit and derived products, identifying the sensorial, physical, chemical and functional characteristics of the fruit and its derivatives; enabling handlers and multiplier extensors in adequate technologies for its artisanal processing, besides capacitating and bringing awareness to rural producers in relation to the preservation and utilization of marolo on the farms. These activities have enabled mainly the awareness and the mobilization of the community and society towards the problems involving the commercialization of the fruit. Furthermore, they turn possible the effective transfer of knowledge and technology among the savanna community, students, academicians, and EMATER-MG, contributing not only to the income and feeding  of many families, but also assuring the sustainable development of such populations, protecting the savannas and its natural resources. The projects are still on course, having started in September 2008.