Agriculture

History

The consolidation of Brazil as a nation and the transformation of Brazilian agriculture are closely related. Since its discovery, the country has agriculture as the main base of its economy and development. This relationship was established with incentive policies, with science and technology, promoting a shift from the condition of an aid-dependent country to one capable of feeding its own citizens in the 1960´s and becoming one of the largest grain exporters in the world. In 2017, grain production will reach the milestone of 240 million tons, produced on little more than 56 million hectares, having a market sales value of $ 150 billion, which is 40% of the country's export sector. Commercial agriculture is responsible for this result; family farming produces 40% of the domestic food supplies.

Brazilian agriculture systems is strongly based on renewable energy sources, thus the emissions of greenhouse gases are at much lower rates than other countries with a more developed agriculture. The advance into native forests for agriculture and pasture areas has decreased in recent years. However, in view of the growing number of consumers and newer demands for food quality, plus the possibility of impacts due to climate changes and limitation of resources, a new transformation of Brazilian agriculture will be necessary. Again, science and technological innovation will play an important role for sustainable intensification, imperative for society and the environment.