THE EXODUS OF RURAL AREAS. THE CASE PIRACANJUBA – GOIÁS – BRAZIL (2000-2010)

Abstract

This article reports on studies conducted between 2000 and 2010 in Piracanjuba/Goiás. The strong growth of GDP per capita driven largely by milk production contrasts with poor social indicators and marked migration of the young population. The studies cover: a) the profitability of dairy production; b) the quality of employment conditions and levels of income of workers in dairy farms; c) local social indicators; d) data on population growth and GDP per capita of municipalities in Goiás. The results indicate that the gains of both the producers and dairy workers are lower than those of urban entrepreneurs with the same capital investment, or urban workers with similar skill levels. In effect this situation occurs also in other agricultural sectors, resulting in migration to metropolitan areas and simultaneous decline of population in the interior and rural regions of Goiás.

Keywords

• pecuária leiteira, rentabilidade, desenvolvimento regional.