Structure of organic farming in the state of Paraná: analysis based on the 2017 Agricultural Census

This study examines the structure of organic farming establishments in Paraná, based on data from the 2017 Agricultural Census. An analysis of the representativeness of organic agriculture was conducted, and factors characterizing its structure in the state, as well as the distribution and concentration of these establishments among the evaluated municipalities, were interpreted. A quantitative and exploratory methodological approach was adopted, using two multivariate techniques, factor analysis and cluster analysis. The results indicate that the structure of agriculture in Paraná is predominantly familial, with nearly three times more family-owned establishments than non-family-owned ones. Although the number of establishments utilizing organic production is small compared to conventional practice, there is homogeneity in the structure of organic agriculture among the municipalities of Paraná. This can be attributed to the decentralization of the production area and the strong presence of collective management in providing technical support and coordinating local establishments. Keywords: Organic production; Family farming; Factor analysis; Cluster analysis.