Productive regional concentration in the State of Paraná: A case study of non-timber forest products

Abstract

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have a significant productive potential in the State of Paraná. The five most important NTFPs of Paraná are yerba mate, palm heart (pupunha, juçara, and real), pinhão, resin, and latex. The study has three objectives considering NTFP's: (1) characterize the mesoregions of Paraná based on their participation in the production ;(2) identify the productive potential in each mesoregion and; (3) to demonstrate that the Location Quotient (LQ) can be a tool in the formulation of public policies. To do so, LQ was used as an instrument of analysis and diagnosis to show the degree of concentration of production of the NTFPs in each mesoregion. The study showed that the production of yerba mate is concentrated in the middle, west, and southeast regions. The production of palm heart is concentrated in the Curitiba metropolitan mesoregion, and all the mesoregions produce a significant amount of pinhão. The Curitiba metropolitan mesoregion produces the highest amount of resin and the northwest mesoregion produces the highest amount of latex. In conclusion, it was proved that a regional analysis using LQ is a valuable tool for characterizing the Paraná mesoregions based on their participation in the production of the five most important NTFPs. In addition, it was proved that LQ is a valuable tool for identifying the productive potential of the mesoregions of the five most important NTFPs. Thus, to encourage regional development, stakeholders may incorporate this analysis in their policies, to enable the society to benefit.