Agriculture and Economic Development in Brazil, 1960-1995

Agriculture and Economic Development in Brazil, 1960-1995

Olukoya Ogen

This paper attempts to emphasize the fact that the agricultural sector is the engine of growth in any developed economy. Specifically, the work limits itself to the important role of the agricultural sector in engendering sustainable development and a significant level of poverty reduction in Brazil. This is with a view to reiterating the fact that Nigeria and other Third World countries need to develop their monumental agricultural potentials because only therein lies their economic salvation. Indeed, researches have shown that the agricultural sector is strategically positioned to have a multiplier effect on any nation's socio-economic and cultural fabric because of the multifunctional nature of agriculture.

Theoretical Perspectives

In terms of its basic philosophical fundamentals, this work adopts two theoretical approaches in its analysis. These are the theory of geographical determinism, and liberal political economy. The theory of geographical determinism despite its limitations,1 affected the nature and type of agriculture that evolved in Brazil in a most radical manner. In fact, ecological factors provided most of the major pre-conditions for the development of the vibrant, sophisticated and complex agricultural sector of Brazil. For example, Brazil's highly acclaimed diversified agriculture which ranges from tropical to temperate zone products is as a result of its wide range of climatic zones. Furthermore, it is important to reiterate the fact that the ecosystem must not be treated merely as a backdrop to historical change, it needs to be adequately integrated into analyses of agricultural change.2

Thus, the approach establishes a close relationship between agricultural practices and the nature of environment. The agricultural conditions of Brazil typify a classical case of an agricultural scenario that effectively contended with the imperatives of geography. Indeed, it will be shown in this work that the organisation and patterns of agricultural production in Brazil have been highly influenced by soil types, rainfall patterns, crop diseases and other ecological variables.

The liberal political economy approach underscores the pervasive and fundamental relationship between economic activities in a given socio-political context.3 As far as agricultural development is concerned in Brazil, this approach highlights how the internal and external dynamics of the nation building process in Brazil affected the structure of its agriculture. The waves of migration and incursions by different racial and ethnic groups into Brazil were decisive in fashioning the social relations and the nature of the agricultural economy that evolved. Thus, the liberal political economy approach integrates both political and social factors as explanatory elements in agricultural analysis.4 This approach also emphasises the enduring relationship between agricultural activities in their social and political contexts.

A Survey of the Geography, History and Economy of Brazil

Since agricultural phenomena need to be situated in their socio-geographical and historical contexts, it is necessary to briefly attempt a survey of the geography, history and economy of Brazil.

Brazil is located in South America, it