The forestry sector has played an important role in the socio-economic development of wood-producing regions. Benefits include private income (an alternative for small and medium-sized rural producers), government tax income, balance of payment advantages, and increasing GNP. New market demands in terms of competitiveness have led cellulose companies to create private woodlot programs as a way to expand timber supplies and guarantee a productive basis. Within this context, arises the need to identify determinant factors for signing new private woodlot contracts. The sample studied is composed of rural producers who signed at least one contract in the Vale do Rio Doce meso region in Minas Gerais in 1995-2006.Data were collected in 2006 using a semi-structured questionnaire. Factors were identified using a multivariate statistical analysis, specifically applying a discriminate analysis technique. Results indicate that the system used by the company to measure timber (SISMED), contracted area size (ACONTRAT) and property size (TAMPROP) are, in this order, the principal determinants for assuming new contracts. Based on the study results, it is suggested that forestry companies further develop technical monitoring and training for woodlot producers. These programs could reduce the present lack of confidence indicated for the SISMED factor and help increase the amount of areas planted.
Contracts; discriminant analysis; forest promotion
