The sugarcane cluster of Goianésia, GO, Brazil

Abstract

The production of sugarcane in the municipality of Goianésia, state of Goiás, has acquiredan unquestionable importance in the region. The multiplicity of actors related to this production chain and the regional concentration of the crop, shows that this chain has some characteristics of a cluster. This article studies the environment of that agroindustrial chain, with the purpose of understanding the functioning and performance of the chain, to recognized the competitiveness of it and the opportunities and challenges to consolidate the chain as a cluster and to increase its level of competitiveness with respect to its competitors. For this purpose, three products were obtained. First, it was built a map of the cluster to understand the main actors of it, the products and by-products, as well as the processes involved in the production chain. Second, it was made a SWOT analy-sis, illustrating both, positive and negative aspects of the cluster and the environment, to facilitate decision making. Third, it was formulated policy recommendations to contribute to the positioning of the cluster in the market and the consolidation of its competitiveness. The study aims to be an approach to the cluster competitiveness, to the relations between actors that take place in it and to the possible strategies and lines of action to guide the policy makers. The next challenge is the use of this information for the complete formulation and for the implementation of policies favorable to the Goianesian cluster and to the Brazilian sugarcane industry.