MANAGERIAL CAPACITY OF FAMILY FARMERS IN CERRADO OF THE MINAS GERAIS STATE

Abstract

Due to the importance of family agriculture within the national context, the present research had as objective to evaluate the different levels of managerial capacity among family farmers in the municipalities of Monte Carmelo, Iraí de Minas, and Romaria, in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A review of literature was accomplished, primary data from farmers were also collected, and secondary data were obtained from Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics for the target region. It was verified a considerable heterogeneity among the producers interviewed and the impossibility to elaborate a unified definition that would include all types of family agriculture. Indices of managerial capacity for agriculture and livestock activities were elaborated. The results showed that productivity in the evaluated crops is low as compared to the mean production level of the area. It became evident a considerable dependence of farmers income on dairy production, with probable influence of this dependence on the high indexes observed for the livestock activity. It was concluded that there is a need to find ways to increase productivity and to search for possibilities to assist family farmers, in what concerns the milk production/commercialization.

KEY-WORDS: Family agriculture; managerial capacity; cattle raising; milk production.