This paper proposes to study the alternatives for the rural population of the southern Brazil, in these beginning of the XXI century. When forestry is implemented we can observe the degradation of quality of life indicators (health, education and income). The multi activity of the small producer is replaced for the so called culture of abandonment. The issues addressed in this study are (i) is forestry an activity that leads to the impoverishment of the region? (ii) will the southern Brazil be

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... reached" by forestry? (iii) do the traditional pork´s economic activity will be displacement by the forestry industry? To answer these questions the hypotheses formulated are (i) there is an inverse relationship between the HDI and forestry and pork´s activities, (ii) There is a direct relationship between pork´s activity and forestry, and (iii) forestry is replacing the traditional economic activity. Data analysis showed is not possible to study the production in an aggregated manner.