Discover the history of the ‘land of the potato’ in the interior of São Paulo

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Expensive imports and difficult negotiations with multinationals led producers to form associations that consolidated the region’s status. g1 visited Cooperbatata, which now has more than 250 members and a 66,000-ton storage silo. People from the countryside: get to know the cooperative that consolidated the ‘land of the potato’ in São Paulo It is no coincidence that the region of Vargem Grande do Sul, in the interior of São Paulo, is today known as the ‘land of the potato’ in the state. In addition to the favorable climate for cultivation, local producers created two successful associations in the area to reduce production difficulties: the Associação de Bataticultores de Vargem Grande do Sul (ABVGS) and the Cooperbatata cooperative. In yet another episode of the “Gente do Campo” series, g1 visited Cooperbatata, which accompanied the growth of some associates for farmers with properties of more than 1,000 hectares (equivalent to 1,400 soccer fields). But the project took a while to get off the ground and gain the trust of producers in the region. One of the main leaders even had to place his own farm as collateral in case the cooperative went bankrupt. LEARN MORE IN THE VIDEO ABOVE. READ MORE: WHERE IT COMES FROM: see what the potato production process is like, from the harvest to the restaurant FRIES: award-winning chef teaches recipe secrets; VIDEO Where it comes from: potatoes ‘sleep’ for months and only their granddaughters go to the markets The beginning Potato planting in Vargem Grande do Sul began in 1960 in a family way, with Japanese immigrants who settled in the region. Little by little, local producers jumped on the bandwagon. The favorable climate there, with mild days and cold nights, helped the activity to grow. Even so, the high risk and high price of importing potato seeds led farmers to unite to negotiate more favorable prices with multinationals. The first association that emerged was the Associação do Bataticultores de Vargem Grande do Sul (ABVGS), in 1990. The group has just over 150 members, who together cultivate 19,500 hectares of potatoes. In 1999, Cooperbatata was founded, which today has more than 250 members, three branches in São Paulo and Minas Gerais and a grain storage silo of 66,000 tons. More from the “Gente do Campo” series Vanessa Alcoléa, master cheesemaker: The veterinary doctor created cheeses and became one of the 100 most powerful women in agriculture. She read the article. People from the Countryside: Vanessa Alcoléa Quilombo Cafundó: Community has been fighting for the land for 150 years and keeps the ancestral tradition alive. Check it out here. Country people: Quilombo Cafundó Former Vasco devotes his life to specialty coffee: Marquinhos Pavão, who is passionate about growing specialty grains, is now looking for strength to fight cancer; check it out here. Country people: former Vasco player Marquinhos Pavão cultivates a passion for Simone Silotti special coffee and food donation: ‘The boy hugged the arugula as if it were an Easter egg’, says a farmer who fights against hunger. Check out the story here. Country people: Simone Silotti Laurindo e Luzia and strawberry production: Strawberry becomes a source of income for a couple who left MG looking for a job in SP. Learn more here. Country people: couple stop being sharecroppers to produce strawberries Ivan Carlos, coffee producer: Farmer buys farm he worked on as a child and changes family life with special coffee. See the report. People from the countryside: from farmer to producer, Ivan’s life was transformed by Banarte special coffee, handicrafts with banana trees: Women transform banana tree fiber into bags and even chandeliers in Vale do Ribeira. Check report. Country people: women transform banana fiber into handicrafts in the Ribeira Valley

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