INNOVATION CAPACITY OF A FISH AGRO-INDUSTRY IN NORTHWEST RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Abstract

This article sought to highlight how fish farming has been gaining prominence through tilapia cultivation as a strategic source of income, especially in family farming. Thus, it is necessary to understand how innovation drives fish farming in family farming. This study aimed to analyze the innovation capacity of a family-run fish agribusiness located in the northwest of Rio Grande do Sul. This is a descriptive and qualitative case study, with on-site data collection via semi-structured interviews, based on the four pillars of innovation capacity proposed by Zawislak: technological, operational, managerial, and transactional. The results show that technological and operational capacity operates through incremental innovations, with an exclusive focus on the quality of frozen tilapia fillets to meet health requirements. Management capacity is characterized by a centralized and conservative model, guided by an aversion to debt. Transactional capacity manifests itself in the adoption of short marketing channels and the agroindustry’s ability to adapt to circumvent logistical obstacles resulting from extreme weather events. It is concluded that the agroindustry has added value through implemented innovations, promoted family succession, and encouraged continued residence in rural areas; however, it faces barriers to innovation, such as climate impacts and health requirements.