June 18, 2013

During 1975 through 2010, survey shows that productivity increased in Brazil stemming from efficiency and excluding those ascribable to increased use of production inputs.

São Paulo - Agricultural productivity in Brazil increased by 3.6% annually from 1975 through 2010, according to a survey conducted by professionals from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and the Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA) and released this Friday (Jun 14). It has multiplied by 3.7 over the 35-year period, twice as fast as in the US, another major grain producing country.

The survey also shows that during this period, Brazil has also maintained its agricultural production highly concentrated in a few properties, with 10% of the facilities accounting for 85% of the gross production value. The survey was conducted by UNICAMP doctoral Economics student Armando Fornazier, and IPEA Planning & Research technician José Eustáquio Vieira Filho.

Agricultural productivity calculations in the survey concern increased product quantity that is not explained by an increase in production inputs, but rather by efficiency gains, which basically depend on scientific and technological development. According to the authors, the modernisation of agriculture in Brazil occurred at a later point in time than that of American agriculture.