PERFIL SOCIAL DO PRODUTOR E CARACTERIZAÇÃO TÉCNICA DA ATIVIDADE LEITEIRA DO CURIMATAÚ OCIDENTAL DA PARAÍBA Henrique

Abstract

Milk production is a complex and challenging activity. The producers face great challenges in living with the semi-arid region, as the region presents a prolonged drought period. The objective was to analyze the profile of the producer and the production system of the production units of the Western Curimataú of Paraíba, based on social and technological knowledge. Interviews were conducted with structured scripts to obtain the data, with 15 producers, in the cities of Pocinhos, Olivedos and Soledade. The mean age observed was 50.8 years, with a standard deviation of 11.32, with a minimum age of 20 years and a maximum of 66 years. The level of schooling was verified that 33.3% of the producers had incomplete elementary education. About 60% had exclusive milk income. Forage conservation was done by 46.7% of the producers, for use in the dry period of the year, since the lack of planning of the forage resources to meet the consumption demand throughout the year. The forage palm was used for 93.3% in animal feed. There is great diversification in relation to the size of the land and milk production, the amount of concentrate supplied and the composition of the herd, causing obstacles for milk production in these productive units.