Editorial

Abstract

<p>We present to our readers the first publication of the year 2018. In this issue, we highlight the adherence of the papers published to the themes of management and agricultural production, public policies, and sustainability - all linked to the use of Information Technologies context.<br />We highlight in this editorial that the published papers in this issue are a sample of the constant contribution of the Brazilian research developed for this sector that contributes with a significant portion of the economy. In fact, it is through investments in research and development of new technologies that agriculture has established the axiom “to produce more with minimal waste of resources”, and the consolidation of this axiom is in part results from the practical application of these technologies in the rural states.<br />It is also common sense that the small farmers are prominent in the food production chain. In Brazil, we should look at the small farmers as the main public who, by benefiting from the application of new technologies, can produce food on a larger scale, without prejudice to the already proven quality of their products.<br />The development and evaluation of public policies at this sector can be the starting point for the ignition of a driving force resulting from the association between new technologies, small producers, and their products, increasing the development of scientific research in this sector and the development of new standards, products, processes, services, among others.<br />In this sense, the first issue of the fourth volume of RECoDAF brings six studies linked to these themes. We hope that the read of these articles will awaken curiosity in the reader, and guide them to serendipity.</p><p><br />Fernando de Assis Rodrigues, Ph. D.<br />Editor at RECoDAF</p>