Management and family succession in the dairy activity and directions for public policies

Abstract

Sharing the management of a family farming property and having a good relationship between parents and children are factors that contribute to the succession and continuity of families in the productive unit. The present research aimed to analyze the relationships between the different generations for the management and family succession in the dairy activity, highlighting the decision-making, remuneration, and public policies as a way of promoting the permanence of the successor in this activity. As methodology, we used an exploratory, bibliographic, and descriptive research, with the collection of qualitative and quantitative data, and we adopted the deductive research method. Young children of milk producers (82) participated in the research, in 35 municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. As to property management, the study showed that some families have already shared decision-makings with their children, although young people have difficulty in proposing changes and investments. It can be noticed that there are still many conflicts and divergences of opinions among the family generations in the dairy activity; however, there are examples in which the balance and sharing prevails in the rural property management, favoring the family succession and the permanence of the heirs in the dairy activity.