ABSTRACT
Plastics have been used with high frequency for their application in the context of agriculture. However, due to their degradability, they have become a source of contamination and environmental problems for rural communities. This chapter deals with the experiences of biodegradable polymers in agriculture, focusing on the application of biodegradable packaging in Colombian coffee growing, which represents one of the most important sectors of the country’s rural economy. This chapter presents an overview of current advances in the development of biodegradable polymers for use in agriculture. It also offers knowledge from a practical experience developed in Colombia, in the co-creation of a prototype of a biodegradable bag for planting processes. This exercise shows the advantages of participatory technology development, where researchers and farmers worked together around a prototype. Through participatory experimental work, the functional characteristics of the material were recognized and a basic appropriation of the technology was fostered.
