ABSTRACT
The dairy sector is fundamental to the economic development of family-based farming in many regions of Brazil. This study aimed to analyze the typology of producers and quantify the cost of milk production in the small colony of farmers "Quero-Quero" in Palmeira - PR. Of the total, 90% of producers are characterized as family farmers and the social/land relationship is 6.33 ha per person employed. The gross value of milk production (GVPm) represents about 15% of all GVPm of the municipality, emphasizing the fundamental importance of the production of this community to the local economy and for the city.
Key words:
dairy cattle; rural development; smallholder farmers