Socio economic and technological characterization of milk production in an associative ownership model of Dracena, SP

Abstract

Dairy farming is one of the most important economic chain of the Brazilian agriculture. Apart from the large commercial farms, the small farms, which use low technology, productivity, and profitability, are typical in the city of Dracena, State of São Paulo, Brazil, where the average milk production is 2.7 million liters. Most of the small farms considered as family farms attend producers' associations, such as the Agricultural Producers Association of Dracena (PADR), that offers courses, technical assistance and cooperation, benefiting all members. Therefore, this study aimed the socio-economic and technological characterization of milk producers in the city of Dracena as well the determination of the main problems that characterize the association’s production system. As method, were used statistical censuses and a Participatory Rural Appraisal conducted by semi-structured interviews and external and internal analysis of production through the SWOT matrix. The main problem appointed by milk producers was the instability of the milk’s price, the higher food expenses, and the need for a greater capitalization because of the necessity of construction and development of strategies for the production system.