Social Characteristics of Floriculture Agribusiness in the Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Floriculture is concerned with the cultivation of ornamental plants, cut plants (flowers and leaves), pot plants, seeds and bulbs, seedlings, shrubs, palm trees, and other gardening species. Minas Gerais state (Brazil) was currently considered 2nd in the national ranking of ornamental plant production. The characteristics of the production in this state, however, are unknown. Thus, in order to characterize floriculture in this state, a survey of social characteristics of the producers of ornamental plants was performed. The interviews were done in loco, and individuals were asked to answer a questionnaire in their respective companies. The answers revealed that the production of ornamental plants in Minas Gerais is practiced by 427 producers. This sector involves 2.633 workers, being 2.591 permanent and 42 temporary. Most of the producers were active in ornamental production for 4-10 years (48%) and, about 70% of the producers did it for profit. Others social information is given in this article.