Socio-demographic and economic characterization of the poultry rural microentrepreneur

Abstract

Brazil is one of the most important countries in agriculture and livestock, being the largest exporter and second largest producer of chicken meat. The predominant system of poultry production is one of vertical integration, which presents advantages for both sides, providing a constant income to the rural micro-entrepreneur, and a constant supply of raw material at competitive costs for the agro-industry. The study aimed to better understand the rural microentrepreneur integrated into the broiler production system in the microregions of Araraquara and São Carlos, totaling 17 counties in the interior of the state of São Paulo. The methodology consisted of applying a structured questionnaire to identify the economic and sociodemographic profile of the region. It was observed that the properties have an average capacity for raising 36,120 poultries in 2 aviaries in a total constructed area of ​​3,397 m2, that the workforce is predominantly male, white, married and with children. 44.9% have only elementary education, while 22.5% have completed high school and only 12.4% have higher education. 86.5% own their properties, while 7.9% are tenants. 88.8% have annual income from the activity of up to R$360,000 and 55.1% chose the sector to supplement their income. 43% do not have any type of financing and 33% are not interested in investing more in the activity at the moment. These data highlight the importance of knowing the profile of micro-entrepreneurs in order to optimize the relationship between the integrated and the integrator and, consequently, increasing productivity gains and increasing competitiveness.