Brazilian Smallholders´ Coffee to European Market: elaboration of responsible innovation

Coffee is the second most exported product in the world, after oil. Consumption is expanding and the main consumption markets are the United States, Brazil and Europe. The commodity coffee export market is dominated by multinational companies. Brazil is responsible for 35% of production and 25% of the global coffee market share. Although it currently represents only 2.5% of Brazilian exports, the coffee chain is of fundamental importance to the Brazilian economy due to the number of jobs generated and the number of rural properties involved, most of which measure less than 20 ha. The growing specialty coffee market presents an opportunity for smallholders. Understanding the demands of consumers, of the value chain and of stakeholders is needed to adapt production and marketing circuits and promote sustainable development of the territory. Our humanity faces many economic, social and environmental divides. As a citizen but also a teacher and researcher, it is important to encourage changes in our modes of action and thinking to succeed in creating responsible innovations. The aim of our research is therefore to build an approach combining "teaching – research – action in the territory".