IMPORTANCE OF DAIRY ACTIVITY IN THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO: A SPATIAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Dairy farming is one of the most relevant sectors of Brazilian agribusiness, with high socioeconomic importance and for the food and nutritional security. In the world scenario, Brazil ranked as the sixth largest milk producer in the world in 2019. The state of São Paulo, specifically, has been showing a gradual decrease in Brazilian representation in milk production in recent decades. In this context, the general objective of the research was to analyze the dynamics of dairy activity in the state of São Paulo. Specifically, it was intended to analyze the regions of expansion and contraction of dairy activity and to map the spatial alterations of this phenomenon. To achieve the proposed objective, the present work was developed through an exploratory study of a quantitative nature. The 645 municipalities in the state of São Paulo were analyzed, identifying the relevance of each municipality for the state's dairy activity, through an indicator composed of the variables: milk production, production value and cows milked. The analysis method was based on Common Factor Analysis and Hierarchical Clusters, allowing municipalities to be categorized and mapped in high, medium and low importance in terms of their activity milkmaid. From the results, it was verified that the state of São Paulo presented a significant reduction in its cattle herd and milked cows during the analysis period, leading, consequently, to a reduction in milk production. Despite managing to increase its milk productivity rates, the state did not follow the national growth trend for the sector.