Search

Abstract The article deals with a relevant theme regarding problems related to food supply. The losses accounted at production process and consumer food waste justify research on the subject. The purpose of this paper is to explain food waste intention using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a theoretical lens. In addition to measuring the influence of attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control on intention, additional constructs were introduced into the model. Affect, planning routines, food surplus, and environmental concerns were incorporated to fit a logistic regression model, presenting the probability of food waste occurrence as a proxy for the probability of intention to waste. An online questionnaire was developed to collect data from consumers in the Midwest of Brazil. The sample consisted of 419 responses. As a result, it was found that food waste occurred more in affluent households, fewer in number, better categorized as “waste people” by family and friends, and less adept at reusing leftovers or saving food. In general, the affective memory related to food corroborates the desire for an abundant table, making waste acceptable. This information is useful for the construction of action plans, public and private, aimed at behavioral changes related to waste.

Abstract This paper aims to assess efficiency in the public irrigation projects of Brazil. A Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model using a limited set of significant variables and adapted to the specific characteristics of existing public irrigation projects in the country was used. Then a Multiple Regression Analysis was performed to efficient irrigation projects to estimate other inputs that did not have been considered in the DEA model. The results indicate that 15 public projects out of the 34 studied, reached the technical efficiency score, as well as pure efficiency and scale efficiency. The work brings several new contributions to the literature on irrigation management and practical implications for decision makers. It is noteworthy that the results of the study can be useful for a better understanding of the general efficiency of public irrigation and what are its most determining factors.

Abstract: Recently, the agricultural sector has had to face several challenges related to the innovation process, the most significant of which seems to be that of its digital transformation. As a consequence, the issue of digital technology adoption is becoming of important scientific interest due to its potential impact on products, services, processes, and new business models. In general, the adoption behavior can be indirectly explained by studying factors that lead a firm to innovate; among these factors, the literature emphasizes the function of networks. The objective of the paper is to investigate the role of networks as key drivers of precision agriculture technologies adoption. To achieve this goal, qualitative research was developed by using 8 case studies recollected among that few Italian farms which can be defined as innovative for having already experienced precision agriculture. Results show that only a few farms can develop and manage innovations internally; success often requires cooperation between individual actors and organizations. Finally, the paper provides some practical advice and a set of propositions for those farms that are trying to achieve digital technological innovations.

Abstract: This paper aims to identify and analyze the factors that influence the decision of Mato Grosso’s farmers to produce soybean using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). We found evidence that decision-making of soybean production is related to rural production aspects such as climate, financing, cost of inputs, and soil quality rather than marketing and logistics. The novelty of this paper is the empirical analysis of the decision-making in agricultural production using AHP. The decision model was created and tested considering 21 farmers and 19 experts linked to the soybean production. Three different scenarios were considered: farmers' view, experts' view, and combined view. Our findings indicate that farmers and experts agree with rural aspects are predominant in the decision to plant soybean. Moreover, logistics have been used as an important flag of soybean competitiveness on international trade by soybean stakeholders in Brazil. However, our results show that logistics impact in the soybean decision-making process is low. Due to data limitation access, this study focuses only on Mato Grosso. However, this study has an exploratory character and presents empirical results that may help to understand soybean production over the country.

Abstract: This paper projects and analyzes the regional impacts of climate change on the agricultural productivity of family farming and large-scale agriculture in Brazil between 2021 and 2050, using the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. The methodology adopted consists of a cross-sectional estimation of a production function in which agricultural productivity is determined by climatic, geographic, and productive factors. The study contributes to the literature by disaggregating agricultural production into family farming and large-scale agriculture, indicating the magnitude and direction of impacts by crops and regions in Brazil, a country with a great territorial dimension and relevant and heterogeneous agricultural production. The results indicate that the agricultural productivity of family farming is more sensitive and therefore this type of producer could be more vulnerable to the phenomenon. On average, the effects will be negative in the North/Northeast regions and for cassava, maize, beans, and soybeans, with possible impacts on deforestation and on food supply. Productivity gains are expected in the southern region and for the cultivation of sugar cane and soybeans. Deterioration of food security of the vulnerable farmers and regional disparities may increase in Brazil.

Abstract: Successive reforms in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), enlargements of the European Union (EU) and pressures in the public budget increase the need for empirical studies to assess the role of subsidies in shaping firms’ performance and, hence, to support policy-makers decisions and decision-making in the productive sector. This paper assesses whether subsidies affect the technical efficiency of 1,943 Portuguese agribusiness firms over 2007-2015. By applying stochastic frontier models and fixed-effects models, to calculate the average efficiency of these firms, the results show different effects of subsidies among agribusiness sectors. The stochastic frontier model revealed that the subsidies have a positive and significant impact on the technical efficiency of three sectors, animal production, manufacture of food, and manufacture of paper. Further, except for firms in the forestry and logging sector, Portuguese agribusiness firms had higher average efficiency levels when subsidised, which provides evidence that subsidies could be important and contribute positively to the technical efficiency of Portuguese firms.

Abstract: Sustainable agrifood global value chains depend on chain governance by the lead firm and transaction governance. However, the link between them is still unclear. We therefore investigated the scientific field on “governance in agrifood global value chain” over 15 years in the Scopus and Web of Science databases through two analyses: a descriptive bibliometric and a keywords co-occurrence analysis. Our descriptive results show that the research on the theme has increased over the years, with a concentration of the papers published in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, with emphasis on Wageningen University. The network graph showed a multidisciplinary theoreticomplcal field and four axes: chain governance; transaction governance; horizontal relationships; political and structural elements. The chain and the transaction governance are indirectly linked by the concept of upgrading, compromising sustainability’s holistic view. Although the sustainability of the chain depends on both levels of governance, this bibliometric study showed that there is a gap to be filled in this topic. We propose a study in the light of both concepts, considering upgrading, vertical and horizontal relationships, as well as public policies.

Consumers are increasingly practicing an alternative model of politics when they make food choices influenced by civic concerns. The new markets that emerge in this context carry specific modes of qualification that makes food products valuable not only for their intrinsic properties, but also for features associated with their production and distribution. This paper aims to describe the different modes of political qualification and consumer engagement that operate in food markets based on secondary data collected in papers, books, certification norms, and websites. Three distinct "political food markets" are identified: a) Fair Trade; b) sustainable agriculture; and c) vegetarian. Whilst the latter is based on a boycott of "bad" products, the other two focus on "good" alternatives. Different types of political engagement are associated to these markets, ranging from a delegation form in Fair Trade, empowered consumption in sustainable agriculture, to a lifestyle engagement regarding vegetarianism. Market devices such as certification play a major role in the growth of these markets, but also affect the type of engagement that is solicited from consumers.

Consumers are increasingly practicing an alternative model of politics when they make food choices influenced by civic concerns. The new markets that emerge in this context carry specific modes of qualification that makes food products valuable not only for their intrinsic properties, but also for features associated with their production and distribution. This paper aims to describe the different modes of political qualification and consumer engagement that operate in food markets based on secondary data collected in papers, books, certification norms, and websites. Three distinct "political food markets" are identified: a) Fair Trade; b) sustainable agriculture; and c) vegetarian. Whilst the latter is based on a boycott of "bad" products, the other two focus on "good" alternatives. Different types of political engagement are associated to these markets, ranging from a delegation form in Fair Trade, empowered consumption in sustainable agriculture, to a lifestyle engagement regarding vegetarianism. Market devices such as certification play a major role in the growth of these markets, but also affect the type of engagement that is solicited from consumers.

Abstract: Given the relevance of corn for food and fuel industries, analysts and scholars are constantly comparing the forecasting accuracy of econometric models. These exercises test not only for the use of new approaches and methods, but also for the addition of fundamental variables linked to the corn market. This paper compares the accuracy of different usual models in financial macro-econometric literature for the period between 1995 and 2017. The main contribution lies in the use of transition regime models, which accommodate structural breaks and perform better for corn price forecasting. The results point out that the best models as those which consider not only the corn market structure, or macroeconomic and financial fundamentals, but also the non-linear trend and transition regimes, such as threshold autoregressive models.

Abstract This paper analyzed the relationship between Bolsa Família Program (BFP) and labor supply of women in rural areas from Brazil, using the Propensity Score Matching (with the nearest-neighbor, kernel, and IPW criteria), Ordinary Least Squares on the treatment (beneficiaries), and control (non-beneficiaries) groups with the robustness analysis proposed by Oster (2015). The results showed that the BFP has an opposite effect to the one pronounced in the critiques of the program, the beneficiaries did not have more or fewer work hours than the non-beneficiaries, this fact can be explained by the value of the benefit not being able to meet the expenses of the household. From these results, we can conclude that both tests reinforce the importance of continuing the investigation of the effects on female labor supply in the rural environment in the light of different guidelines.

Abstract This paper analyzes the employment and income dynamics of rural families in Brazil's North Region, the main representative of the Brazilian Amazon. We use information from the National Household Sample Survey between 2004 and 2015 to create a typology of families based on the members' occupation in agricultural and non-agricultural activities. We hypothesize that the recent increase in employment and income was strongly associated with non-agricultural activities, reproducing the dynamics observed in other developing countries and Brazil's more developed regions. The results highlight that, differently from the rural exodus observed in the other regions of the country, the number of rural households increased in the North Region, attracted by the expanding non-agricultural occupations. As a result, the importance of earnings from non-agricultural activities and non-labor (pensions, cash transfers, among others) to family income has increased considerably, especially among self-employed family farmers. The final discussion highlights the relevance of non-agricultural activities for public policies to increase income in less developed rural areas.

This paper examines the governance of property rights on genetically modified (GM) soybean seeds. Specifically, the article undertakes a comparative analysis on the collection of royalties in GM soybean seeds in the U.S. and Brazil. For each country, the authors describe the regulatory framework governing the protection of biotechnology innovations in agriculture and investigate the mechanisms of royalty collection in GM soybean seeds. The paper also offers econometric evidence linking the capture of value on biotech innovations and the protection mechanisms deployed by biotech firms. The results suggest that, subject to the institutional environment, firms may choose to transact a GM attribute separated from the seed, building specialized governance structures framed around the genetic attribute and not around the seed as a whole.

This paper examines the governance of property rights on genetically modified (GM) soybean seeds. Specifically, the article undertakes a comparative analysis on the collection of royalties in GM soybean seeds in the U.S. and Brazil. For each country, the authors describe the regulatory framework governing the protection of biotechnology innovations in agriculture and investigate the mechanisms of royalty collection in GM soybean seeds. The paper also offers econometric evidence linking the capture of value on biotech innovations and the protection mechanisms deployed by biotech firms. The results suggest that, subject to the institutional environment, firms may choose to transact a GM attribute separated from the seed, building specialized governance structures framed around the genetic attribute and not around the seed as a whole.Este artigo examina a governança de direitos de propriedade em sementes transgênicas de soja. Especificamente, o estudo empreende uma análise comparativa sobre a cobrança de royalties em sementes transgênicas de soja nos EUA e no Brasil. Para cada país, os autores descrevem a estrutura regulatória que rege a proteção de inovações biotecnológicas na agricultura e investigam os mecanismos de cobrança de royalties em sementes transgênicas de soja. O artigo também examina evidências econométricas que relacionam a captura de valor sobre inovações biotecnológicas e os mecanismos de proteção utilizados por firmas de biotecnologia. Os resultados sugerem que, com base no ambiente institucional, uma firma pode optar por transacionar um atributo transgênico separado da semente, estabelecendo estruturas especializadas de governança que se emolduram em torno do atributo e não da semente em si.

The growing complexity of supply chains poses new challenges for Agricultural Research Centers and statistical agencies. The aim of this perspective paper is to discuss the role of empirical research in understanding the complex forms of governance in agribusiness. The authors argue that there are three fundamental levels of analysis: (i) the basic structure of the market, (ii) the formal contractual arrangements that govern relations within the agroindustrial system and (iii) the transactional dimensions governed by non-contractual means. The case of the agrochemical industry in Brazil illustrates how traditional analyses that only address market structure are insufficient to fully explain the agricultural sector and its supply chain. The article concludes by suggesting some indicators which could be collected by statistical agencies to improve understanding of the complex relationships among agribusiness segments. In doing so, the paper seeks to minimize costs and to enable a better formulation of public and private policies.

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a tributação sobre os principais bens finais do setor sucroenergético, quais sejam açúcar e álcool. Para tanto, estima-se - a partir da metodologia de recolhimento da cada tributo - a carga tributária potencial incidente sobre estes produtos em todos os elos de suas cadeias no estado de São Paulo nos anos de 2000 e 2008. Os resultados apontam para uma carga tributária potencial de 23,04% do preço final do álcool hidratado e de 27,39% do preço final do açúcar cristal em 2008. Com o objetivo de mensurar a importância da isenção de alguns tributos às vendas externas, este artigo estima as diferenças em termos de carga tributária potencial entre o álcool/açúcar exportado e aquele vendido no mercado doméstico. A diferença da carga tributária incidente sobre o álcool exportado pela usina e aquele vendido para o mercado doméstico é estimada em 15,65 pp. Para o açúcar, essa diferença é de 21,25 pp. Por último, estima-se a carga tributária incidente sobre o setor no ano 2000 - que foi de 40,08% para o álcool hidratado e de 25,91% para o açúcar. Observa-se um aumento da carga incidente sobre o açúcar e redução da carga incidente sobre o álcool.This paper aims to analyze taxation on sugar and ethanol. Based on the payment of each tax, the potential tax burden on these products in all links of their chains in São Paulo state for the years 2000 and 2008 has been estimated. The results pointed to a potential tax burden of 23.04% of the final price of hydrous ethanol and 27.39% of the final price of crystal sugar in 2008. With the aim of measuring the importance of the exemption of some taxes on foreign sales, the article also estimates the difference in potential tax burden between ethanol exported and the one sold in the domestic market. The same is done for sugar. The difference of the tax burden on ethanol exported by the plant and ethanol sold to the domestic market is estimated at 15.65 pp. For sugar, this difference is 21.25 pp. Finally, in order to verify the evolution of the tax burden on the sugarcane industry, this paper estimates the tax burden on this sector for 2000, which was 40.08% for ethanol and 25.91% for sugar. There is an increasing burden on the sugar and a reduced burden on ethanol.

The growing complexity of supply chains poses new challenges for Agricultural Research Centers and statistical agencies. The aim of this perspective paper is to discuss the role of empirical research in understanding the complex forms of governance in agribusiness. The authors argue that there are three fundamental levels of analysis: (i) the basic structure of the market, (ii) the formal contractual arrangements that govern relations within the agroindustrial system and (iii) the transactional dimensions governed by non-contractual means. The case of the agrochemical industry in Brazil illustrates how traditional analyses that only address market structure are insufficient to fully explain the agricultural sector and its supply chain. The article concludes by suggesting some indicators which could be collected by statistical agencies to improve understanding of the complex relationships among agribusiness segments. In doing so, the paper seeks to minimize costs and to enable a better formulation of public and private policies.A crescente complexidade das relações entre os agentes das cadeias produtivas coloca novos desafios para os centros de pesquisa e estatística do setor agrícola. O objetivo do presente artigo é discutir o papel da pesquisa empírica para o entendimento das formas complexas de governança no setor agroindustrial. Os autores argumentam que há três níveis fundamentais de análise: (i) a estrutura básica do mercado, (ii) o regime contratual formal que rege as relações dentro do sistema agroindustrial e (iii) as dimensões transacionais governadas por meios não contratuais. O caso da indústria de agroquímicos no Brasil ilustra como as análises tradicionais que trazem apenas informações sobre a estrutura de mercado são insuficientes para se entender completamente o setor agrícola e sua cadeia produtiva. Conclui-se com algumas sugestões de indicadores que poderiam ser coletados pelos centros de estatística como forma de aprimorar o entendimento das relações complexas entre os segmentos agroindustriais, minimizando custos e resultando em melhor elaboração de ações de políticas públicas e privadas.

O censo agropecuário 1995-96 é utilizado para estudar os fatores responsáveis pelas diferenças na pobreza entre os estabelecimentos agrícolas no Brasil. As diferenças entre as regiões e as seguintes dicotomias são analisadas: proprietários/não proprietários; familiares/não familiares; intensivos em insumos/não intensivos; com/sem máquinas. O artigo utiliza uma metodologia semiparamétrica. Primeiro, uma função fronteira estocástica de lucro é estimada. Em seguida, simulações não paramétricas contrafactuais são utilizadas para identificar os fatores que explicam as diferenças em pobreza. Os fatores incluem o tamanho da propriedade, o trabalho familiar, a lucratividade e as variáveis utilizadas para explicar a lucratividade no modelo de fronteira estocástica. O artigo conclui que a falta de terra e os baixos níveis de produtividade são importantes motivos para a pobreza entre produtores agrícolas. É improvável que qualquer um deles isoladamente possa solucionar o problema da pobreza. As diferenças em "eficiência" - capturadas pelo termo de erro na função fronteira de lucro - são importantes para explicar as diferenças entre os pobres e os não pobres, mas não para as demais dicotomias estudadas. Isto sugere que os fatores não observáveis - como restrições ou falhas de mercado - são importantes para explicar a pobreza entre produtores agrícolas no Brasil.The 1995-96 agricultural census is used to explore factors that account for differences in poverty among agricultural establishments in Brazil. Differences across regions and the following dichotomies are analyzed: owners/non-owners, family/non-family, input intensive/non-intensive, with machines/without machines. The paper uses a semi-parametric methodology. First, a stochastic frontier profit function is estimated. Then, non-parametric counterfactual simulations are used to identify factors which explain differences in poverty. Factors include farm size, family labor, profitability and the variables used to explain profitability in the stochastic frontier model. The paper concludes that lack of land and low levels of productivity are both important reasons for poverty among agricultural producers. It is unlikely that either one alone could solve the poverty problem. Differences in "efficiency" - captured by the error term in the frontier profit function - are important to explain differences between the poor and non-poor, but not for any of the other dichotomies studied. This suggests that unobservable factors - such as restrictions or market failures - are important to explain poverty among agricultural producers in Brazil.

O objetivo deste artigo foi identificar sinais de excesso de confiança nos preços entre produtores de milho do Sul e do Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Entre outubro e novembro de 2008, 90 produtores foram selecionados para responderem questões relacionadas a seus conhecimentos do mercado futuro e a suas expectativas de preços. Uma grande parte dos entrevistados respondeu que não negociava contratos futuros por não possuir informação suficiente para isso. Os resultados revelaram que os produtores foram descalibrados quando estimaram os preços esperados na forma direta e indireta. Além disso, para a maior parte dos respondentes, a variância subjetiva obtida por meio dos questionários foi estatisticamente inferior à variância do mercado. Isto mostra que os produtores possuem uma percepção de risco inferior ao risco de mercado. Por fim, o artigo conclui que o efeito de excesso de confiança pode, parcialmente, explicar o baixo uso do mercado futuro de milho por parte dos produtores brasileiros, para garantir a proteção de preço do produto.This paper aimed to identify signs of overconfidence among corn producers in the Southern and Central-Western regions in Brazil. Between October and November 2008, 90 farmers were chosen to answer questions regarding their knowledge of futures markets and price expectations. Most part of agents surveyed answered that they do not trade futures contracts because they do not have enough information. Results showed that respondents were miscalibrated when estimating directly-stated and the indirectly-stated expected prices. In addition, for most respondents, subjective variance for corn proves to be significantly less than the market variance, implying that producers perceive a risk that is lower than that of the market. Finally, the paper concludes that the overconfidence effect can partially explain the low use of futures markets by Brazilian corn producers to hedge their production.

O principal objectivo deste artigo é conhecer as atitudes dos agricultores face à produção agrícola, ao apoio político e ao projecto de rega de Alqueva numa micro-região mediterrânica do Sul de Portugal, no contexto da Política Agrícola Comum (PAC) de 2003 e do Health-Check. Simultaneamente, pretende-se conhecer as intenções comportamentais destes agricultores frente à inovação tecnológica e ao futuro regadio público neste contexto político. Os resultados destacam que a grande maioria destes agricultores constituem um grupo relativamente homogéneo face às suas atitudes. Este cluster mantém uma mentalidade muito produtivista, um forte desejo de manter um foco agrícola, rejeitando veementemente noções de liberalização política. Apesar de possuírem elevada capacidade inovadora e de estarem conscientes da importância do seu contributo na defesa do mundo rural, reconhecem que as futuras condições institucionais da PAC, do fornecimento da água do regadio de Alqueva e das condições de acesso ao crédito, lhes poderá comprometer os seus planos inovadores no futuro. Por isso, conclui-se que é necessário compreender as especificidades da agricultura regional nos diversos países da União Europeia para que as políticas tenham êxito local. No caso português, são necessários estudos mais abrangentes de forma a encontrar resultados mais consistentes.The main purpose of this paper is to know farmer' attitudes face to the agricultural production, the political support and the irrigation project of Alqueva in the context of the 2003 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform and the Health-Check, in a micro-region located near the Mediterranean Sea, in the Southern region of Portugal. At the same time, this paper also aims to understand the behavioural intentions of farmers face to the technological innovation and the future of the irrigation project in this political context. Results show that the majority of farmers are a relatively homogeneous cluster about their attitudes and behavioural intentions. These farmers still maintain a productivist mindset, a strong wish to maintain an agricultural focus and they strongly reject the notions of policy liberalisation. Although they have a great potential of innovation and being aware of the importance of their contribution in the protection of the rural environment, they recognize that the future CAP, the water supply irrigation price and the conditions of access to agricultural credit, could compromise their innovation capacity in the future. The conclusions suggest that it is necessary to understand the particularities of a regional agriculture in different countries in the European Union so the policies can take place successfully. In the Portuguese case, more comprehensive studies are necessary in order to find more consistent results.

Com o passar dos anos, o Pronaf (Programa Nacional de Fortalecimento da Agricultura Familiar) foi se estruturando e ampliou significativamente seu campo de atuação. Além do aumento dos recursos, contratos e número de agricultores beneficiados, uma importante inovação desse programa foi a inclusão de novas linhas de financiamento, seja através da inserção de segmentos até então renegados pelas políticas agrícolas ou pelo reconhecimento e legitimação das atividades diferenciadas no meio rural, como é o caso da agroindustrialização em escala familiar. O objetivo central desse artigo é analisar a política de crédito rural direcionada às agroindústrias familiares (Pronaf-Agroindústria), trazendo em evidência a constituição, elaboração, implementação e os resultados alcançados por essa linha de financiamento. Além disso, é discutido o processo de reformulação das condições de acesso ao crédito ao longo dos últimos anos, problematizando o novo portfólio que se alcançou com a efetivação do Programa Mais Alimentos. Os resultados deste trabalho destacam a flexibilização das condições financeiras do Pronaf-Agroindústria (redução da taxa de juros, aumento do teto financiado e alastramento no público-alvo), alterando significativamente o foco de atuação da política (que deixa de ser exclusivamente as pequenas agroindústrias familiares e passa a englobar, também, as grandes cooperativas de leite).During the years, since its implementation, Pronaf has become more structured and has significantly increased its action field. Alongside the increase of resources, contracts, and number of benefited agriculturists, an important innovation of this program was the inclusion of new lines of funding, either through inserting segments until then, excluded from the agricultural policies, or including, recognizing, and legitimizing different activities performed in rural areas, such as familiar agroindrustialization. This paper aims to analyze the family agroindustry oriented rural credit policy (Pronaf-agroindustry), evidencing the constitution, elaboration, implementation and results of this line of funding. Moreover, the paper discusses the process of reformulation in the access conditions to the credit during recent years, analyzing the new portfolio constituted by a program called Mais Alimentos. The results of this paper highlight the flexibility of Pronaf-Agroindustry's financial conditions (reduction of interest rate, increase of the financed ceiling, and spread of the target public), which changes significantly the policy focus (it no longer benefits small family agroindustries exclusively, but also includes major milk cooperatives).

Em Portugal, as ciências sociais têm estudado a agricultura familiar a partir de um modelo de interpretação dualista que acentua as diferenças inter-regionais, marginalizando, até certo ponto, o significado sociológico de algumas continuidades que se estabeleciam (e se estabelecem) entre as zonas do Norte e do Sul ou entre o Litoral e o Interior. O presente estudo pretende, assim, construir uma perspectiva diferente sobre as modalidades de agricultura familiar em Portugal, procurando identificar, num primeiro momento, uma série de proximidades sociológicas entre os diferentes modos de organização (tradicionais e modernos) das famílias agrícolas e, consequentemente, traçar os eixos para um modelo mais complexo na análise dessas mesmas modalidades.The main goal of this paper is to produce a critical analysis regarding the conception of multiple activities in the Portuguese rural society. This work questions the classic vision of the country that delineates a rigid territorial and sociological divisions (for instance, the distinction between Northern and the Southern region) from which it tends to characterize different types of agriculture. Considering this conception, the paper proposes a different perspective that is capable to integrate differences and resemblances, between some of the social and the economic aspects that have redefined the family organization and their work activities.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo mensurar os efeitos quantitativos sobre as exportações de commodities agrícolas das cooperativas brasileiras em função de cenários diversos baseados nas possibilidades de negociação comercial que se colocam para o Brasil. Assim tem-se ênfase nas exportações de commodities onde há uma maior influência do movimento cooperativo. Um modelo computável de equilíbrio geral é utilizado para simular cenários alternativos de abertura comercial para a economia brasileira e seus impactos sobre os setores de interesse. Resultados de estudos anteriores também são considerados. Buscou-se identificar quais seriam os interesses maiores para as cooperativas do Brasil nas negociações desses acordos, considerando os impactos esperados sobre produção e fluxos comerciais. Os resultados mais favoráveis, considerando os cenários considerados e os setores de elevada participação das cooperativas podem ser resumidos como: uma liberalização multilateral parcial para os setores de aves e suínos e de soja, um acordo comercial Mercosul-UE para os setores de soja e café, e a Alca completa para o setor de café.Our goal in this paper is to evaluate the quantitative effects on exports of agricultural commodities of Brazilian cooperatives from several scenarios of possible trade agreements faced by Brazil. This paper is focused on exports of commodities under higher influence of cooperative firms. We use a computable general equilibrium model to simulate alternative scenarios of trade liberalization for Brazilian economy and their impacts on the sectors on focus. We also consider results from the previous studies. We seek to identify main interests to the Brazilian cooperatives on the negotiation of such agreements, considering impacts on production and the flow of trade. The best outcomes considering those sectors with high cooperative participation and trade agreements considered here could be summarized as: a partial multilateral liberalization for the poultry, pork and soybean sectors; an agreement Mercosul-EU for the soybean and coffee sectors; and full liberalization FTAA for the coffee sector.

Programas de transferência condicionada de renda são políticas sociais correntemente empregadas para combater e reduzir a pobreza em diversos países. No curto prazo, esses programas visam aliviar os problemas decorrentes da situação de pobreza, sendo que, no longo prazo, o objetivo é investir no capital humano, quebrando o ciclo intergeracional da pobreza. Estudos têm sido realizados para avaliar os impactos desses programas sobre variáveis como freqüência escolar, trabalho infantil, gastos com alimentação, entre outros. Este trabalho avalia o impacto da transferência de renda do Programa Bolsa Família sobre os gastos com alimentos de famílias rurais. As estimações foram feitas com base no método de Propensity Score Matching (PSM), que corrige para o viés de seleção amostral. Os resultados mostram que o valor médio das despesas anuais para as famílias beneficiárias supera em R$ 246 os gastos totais das famílias não-participantes. Considerando que a média anual recebida por essas famílias é de R$ 278, pode-se inferir que 88% desse valor é utilizado para consumo de alimento. Portanto, o programa de transferência condicionada Bolsa Família exerce um impacto positivo sobre o consumo de alimentos dessas famílias selecionadas.Conditional income transfer programs are social policies currently adopted to reduce poverty in several countries. These conditional transfer schemes have a goal to alleviate some of the consequences of poverty in the short run and increase human capital in the long run changing the intergenerational poverty cycle. Several papers evaluate the impact of income transfer on school attendance, child work and food expenses, among others. This paper analyzes the impact of the Bolsa Família Program on food expenses of rural families. The Propensity Score Method was used to correct sample selection bias. Results show that annual food expenses increased 246 reais in relation to non participant families. Considering that average annual transfer to these families is 278 reais, it can be concluded that 88% of the transfer is expend in food products. Thus, Bolsa Família brings a positive impact on food consumption of the benefited families.

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a evolução das pesquisas e inovações tecnológicas ocorridas na silvicultura e na produção industrial de celulose no Brasil, dando ênfase aos seus impactos sobre a expansão dessa indústria. Para tanto, são utilizados dados primários e secundários como forma de avaliar os principais tipos de pesquisas e inovações tecnológicas e a importância dessas inovações para a expansão da indústria de celulose no Brasil e sua maior inserção no comércio mundial desse produto. Constata-se que as inovações tecnológicas nas áreas florestal e industrial trouxeram expressivos aumentos de produtividade na silvicultura e na produção industrial de celulose e foram geradas a partir de um intenso processo de interação entre empresas, universidades e governo e implicaram redução no custo de produção da celulose. Esta última elevou a rentabilidade da indústria, causando sua expansão. O trabalho encerra-se analisando os desafios futuros que a indústria de celulose no Brasil terá quanto a pesquisas e inovações visando mantê-la competitiva no cenário internacional.This paper aims to analyze the evolution of research and technological innovations that have taken in forest and pulp industrial areas, and emphasizes their possible impacts on the competitiveness of the Brazilian pulp industry. First, primary and secondary data are used to evaluate the main types of research and technological innovations and, in sequence, it is evaluated the importance of technological innovations that have contributed to the expansion of the Brazilian pulp industry in the pulp world market. Technological innovations in forest and industrial areas in the Brazilian pulp industry have brought significant increases of forest and industrial productivities, leading to reduction of pulp production cost. Consequently, profitability of the industry has been enlarged, causing its expansion. Finally, the paper analyzes future challenges for the Brazilian pulp industry in relation to research and technological innovations able to maintain its competitiveness internationally.

Existem poucas pesquisas no Brasil que abordam a questão da quantificação e da qualificação dos gastos públicos em Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (C&T e I) voltados para a produção agropecuária nacional. Considerando esta lacuna na bibliografia e que informações nesta área são importantes para tomadores de decisão públicos e privados envolvidos com o tema, este artigo apresenta um diagnóstico inovador destes gastos no Brasil. Para tanto, foram analisados os investimentos realizados por 48 instituições de apoio e de pesquisa brasileiras, cobrindo praticamente o universo de agências e institutos de pesquisa estaduais e federais com atuação no setor agropecuário, além de instituições de pesquisa sem fins lucrativos. Os resultados apontam o papel preponderante da Embrapa no Sistema Nacional de Pesquisa Agropecuária, bem como destaca algumas lacunas e entraves ao desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico voltado para este setor. Os futuros investimentos nesta área poderão ser ponderados a luz dos resultados da pesquisa apresentada neste artigo.Few researches in Brazil have undertaken the issue of quantification and qualification of public expenditure in S&T and Innovation devoted to agriculture and livestock. This paper presents an innovative evaluation and provides inedited information for public and private decision makers. Expenditure undertook by 48 Brazilian research organizations was evaluated. This set of organizations comprised the universe of federal and state institutes and agencies, as well as some other non-profit organizations, which gave support to research in agriculture and livestock. The results showed that the role played by Embrapa is of primary importance to the National System of Agricultural Research. Some deficiencies and barriers to scientific and technological development in this sector are also revealed. Expenditure allocation in this area should consider the results presented in this paper.

O artigo estuda os efeitos dos fatores determinantes da renda rural, particularmente do capital humano e do capital físico. Além de equações de rendimentos ajustadas para o setor primário, foram analisadas regressões de renda para a população ocupada na indústria e no setor de serviços. Os resultados obtidos revelam que, embora o capital físico seja o principal determinante da concentração da renda agrícola, é a educação o fator que explica a maior parcela da desigualdade de rendimentos nas atividades não-agrícolas e no meio rural como um todo.The paper analyses the effects of rural income determinants, in particular of human capital and physical capital. Besides the earnings equation estimated for persons occupied in agriculture, the paper also analyzes earnings regressions for persons occupied in the industry and service sectors. The results show that physical capital is the main determinant of earnings in Brazilian agriculture, but schooling is the most important determinant of earnings for persons occupied in rural non-farm activities and for all persons living in rural areas.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o comportamento e a estrutura do setor exportador do Rio Grande do Norte no período de 1996 a 2006 e identificar os produtos com vantagens comparativas reveladas. Também procura mensurar os graus de concentração de produtos e os destinos das exportações, o tipo de comércio e os setores fortes da pauta de exportações. Para o alcance de tais objetivos, utilizaram-se os índices de comércio intra-industrial, de GRUBEL e LLOYD (1975), e os índices de vantagem comparativa revelada, de BALASSA (1965) e LAURSEN (1998). Os indicadores de concentração de produtos e destino das exportações derivaram do coeficiente de Gini-Hirchman. Os dados utilizados foram obtidos no sistema ALICEWEB, do Ministério do desenvolvimento, Indústria e Comércio - MDIC. Os resultados encontrados revelaram alta concentração em poucos produtos primários e mercados de destinos, além da fraca participação de produtos manufaturados exportados. O estudo ainda apontou que o comércio internacional do estado é basicamente interindustrial, ou seja, exporta produtos primários e importa manufaturas, caracterizando um comércio do tipo Herckscher-Ohlin. entre os grupos de produtos com comércio intra-industrial, destacou-se o grupo do algodão, um sinal da importância do setor têxtil na economia estadual.The objective of the present paper is to examine the behavior and the structure of the export sector of the economy of Rio Grande do Norte from 1996 to 2006, and to identify the products of revealed comparative advantage. The paper also seeks to measure levels of export concentration of products and destination markets, types of trade, and export sectors that show strength. To achieve the objectives of the paper, the intra-industry indices of GRUBEL AND LLOYD (1975) and the indices of revealed comparative advantage of BALASSA (1965) e LAURSEN (1998) were used. The indexes of product concentration and export destination were obtained through the Gini-Hirchmna coefficient. The data was taken from the ALICEWEB system of the Ministry of development, Industry and Trade - MDIC. The results revealed a high concentration of few primary products and destination markets, along with weak participation in the export of manufactured products. The study points out that the international trade of the state of Rio Grande do Norte is basically inter-industrial; that is, it exports primary products and imports manufactured products, characteristic of the Herckscher-Ohlin trade type. among the group of products with intra-industrial trade, the cotton group stands out, showing the importance of the textile sector in the state's economy.

Este trabalho procurou discutir fatores de atração das exportações agropecuárias brasileiras. Para tal implementou-se um modelo gravitacional acrescido de procedimentos econométricos de efeitos fixos e aleatórios, além da abordagem por Mínimos Quadrados Ordinários (MQO). As principais variáveis identificadas como determinantes dessas exportações foram a distância para os mercados de destino, o PIB dos parceiros comerciais e a localização geográfica do país importador. Ademais, verificaram-se efeitos puzzles para a taxa de câmbio, o perfil agroexportador do país importador e a participação do setor agrícola na economia de destino. Por fim, o trabalho realça uma diferenciação das variáveis relevantes em função de características específicas dos parceiros comerciais brasileiros.The paper discussed the main factors that explain the Brazilian agricultural exports. In order to achieve this goal, the paper applied a gravity model that includes fixed and random effects estimations, besides the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) approach. Distance, trade partners' GDP, and geographical localization were the significant variables. Moreover, puzzle effects are associated to exchange rate, partners' agricultural exports profile and the partners' agricultural share in GDP. Finally, this study highlights the potential change of the relevant variables because of specific characteristics of each commercial Brazilian partner.

Worldwide, the emergence of large supermarket chains in food retail markets is often associated with the marginalization of smaller retailers. A notable exception exists in Brazil, however, where small retailers have held their place in the market and recently even gained ground. The literature investigating how retail concentration has affected agrifood chains has focused activities of the largest retail chains, implicitly holding the scale, scope and specialization of retailers’ input needs constant, and overlooking the influence of these factors on retailers’ procurement strategies. This paper tests hypotheses regarding these variables’ effects on retailers’ fresh produce procurement strategies. Data is drawn from a survey of retailers in metropolitan São Paulo. The research results provide insight into factors underlying retailers’ procurement strategy choices and tradeoffs among options. The results support the fundamental hypothesis of the paper that research on the competitive strategies of smaller retailers in a context of market domination by large retailers should not focus exclusively on the degree to which the smaller retailers imitate the larger retailers rather it should account for the possibility that the underlying characteristics of the retailers may make diverse competitive strategies appropriate.Ao redor do globo, a emergência de grandes cadeias de supermercado em mercados alimentícios de varejo é frequentemente associada à marginalização de varejistas menores. Uma notável exceção existe no Brasil, porém, onde pequenos varejistas têm mantido sua posição no mercado e, recentemente, até ganharam espaço. A literatura investigando como a concentração do varejo afeta cadeias produtivas de alimentos como a concentração no varejo tem afetado as cadeias de agroalimentos tem enfocado atividades das cadeias de varejo maiores. Fatores como escala, escopo e especialização dos varejistas em termos de insumos têm sido mantidos implicitamente constantes, ignorando a influência desses fatores nas estratégias de compra dos varejistas..Os dados foram obtidos junto a varejistas da São Paulo metropolitana. Os resultados da pesquisa consideram atores responsáveis por estratégias varejistas de obtenção e o tradeoffs entre as opções, bem como justificam a hipótese essencial do artigo de que pesquisa acerca das estratégias competitivas de varejo, em um contexto de dominação de mercado por grandes varejistas, não deveria enfocar exclusivamente o matiz com o qual varejistas menores imitam os maiores. Antes deveria contemplar a possibilidade de as características inerentes aos varejistas tornarem adequadas estratégias competitivas divergentes.

Este artigo tem como objetivo mensurar o impacto do aumento da demanda final da indústria de base florestal. Como instrumento de análise utiliza-se a matriz de contabilidade social do Estado do Paraná de 1998. Foi necessário calcular o multiplicares da matriz. Os efeitos de uma injeção nas variáveis exógenas sobre os segmentos de Madeira e Mobiliário e de Papel e Papelão resultaram em choques de demanda mais intensos dentro do próprio setor. Observa-se que o ramo de Madeira e Mobiliário tem maiores ligações com as atividades relativas ao setor terciário; já o segmento de Papel e Papelão, com atividades que necessitam embalagem. Conclui-se que, apesar da agregação das atividades econômicas da matriz de contabilidade social paranaense, foi possível identificar os principais impactos decorrentes do aumento da demanda final.The present article aims at measuring the final demand impact on the forest-based industry by using the 1998 State of Paraná social accounting matrix as the analysis tool. We also had to calculate the matrix multipliers. The increased effects of exogenous activity on the Wood/Furniture and Paper/Pulp activities brought a more intense demand shock to that sector. We noticed that the Wood and Furniture activity is mostly connected with the tertiary sector activities, while the Paper and Pulp activity is mostly connected with activities that need packing. Finally, we could identify the main impacts originated by an increased final demand in spite of the reduction in the number of Paraná Social Accounting Matrix economic activities.

Este trabalho avalia a eqüidade do sistema brasileiro de aposentadorias pagas no meio rural, dando ênfase à década de 1990. Entende-se como eqüidade a distribuição de aposentadorias sem viés de cor (ou raça), sexo e nível de educação. Motivado pela Constituição Federal de 1988, as Leis nº 8.212 e nº 8.213, de 1991 permitiram que homens (com 60 anos de idade ou mais) e mulheres (com 55 anos de idade ou mais) que tivessem comprovado exercício da atividade rural pudessem obter aposentadoria de um salário mínimo, mesmo não tendo contribuído com o sistema previdenciário. Tais mudanças foram significativas, pois igualaram os direitos de mulheres e homens e fixaram um valor mínimo das aposentadorias. Usando a análise tabular de microdados da PNAD (para os anos de 1992, 1996 e 1999) o trabalho comprova que essa nova sistemática previdenciária permitiu o aumento da renda per capita dos aposentados no meio rural, sem causar aumento da desigualdade da distribuição de renda. A mesma análise tabular dos dados sugere a presença de vieses na concessão das aposentadorias em favor de homens (em relação às mulheres), dos brancos (em relação aos negros) e dos mais instruídos (em relação aos menos instruídos), o que foi estatisticamente comprovado através da estimativa do modelo próbite. O trabalho se encerra sugerindo algumas medidas que possam minimizar essa ineqüidade na distribuição das aposentadorias pagas no meio rural.This paper evaluates the equality of the Brazilian system of pensions paid in rural areas during the 1990s. The equality implies equal access to the social security benefits, regardless ethnic, sex and education differences among retired persons. Basing on 1988 Federal Constitution, Laws 8,212 and 8,213, both from 1991, have instituted the old age pension equal to one minimum wage for men (60 years or older) and for women (55 years or older) if they can prove they were rural workers. These old citizens can retire without any contribution to the social security system. The new norms were important in rural areas because they guarantee equal rights among men and women and increased the value of pensions. Using 1992, 1996 and 1999 PNAD microdatas organized in tables, this paper pointed out that the social security system contributed for the per capita income growth of elderly retired people who lives in rural areas, without enlarging the income distribution inequality. PNAD microdatas organized in tables also indicate that males, white people, and those with higher formal education had an easier access to pension than females, black people and those with lower formal education. These results were confirmed by the Probit model estimated. The paper finishes with some suggestions to improve the equality of pensions paid in rural areas.

Este artigo discute as causas do padrão concentrador do desenvolvimento agrícola brasileiro recente, expresso no predomínio da produção em grande escala, elevado índice de mecanização e baixa absorção de mão de obra não qualificada. Cita, inicialmente, a existência de duas posições antagônicas que procuram explicar esse fato: uma, que culpa a herança latifundiária de nossa agricultura, e a outra, que vê nisso um determinismo tecnológico, não havendo, assim, possibilidade de atuar sobre esse problema sem incorrer numa perda em termos de eficiência econômica. Este trabalho, contudo, atribui às políticas trabalhista agrícola, fundiária e de crédito agrícola, instituídas na década de 1960, a responsabilidade maior por esse problema. Conforme a análise apresentada, essas políticas inviabilizaram o mercado de trabalho agrícola temporário e a agricultura familiar, ao mesmo tempo em que fomentaram a mecanização agrícola e o predomínio da produção em grande escala. O trabalho termina propondo uma desregulamentação dos mercados de trabalho e de terra na agricultura brasileira, assim como uma redução drástica do subsídio ao crédito rural.This paper discusses the question of the concentrated pattern of agricultural development in Brazil, as expressed in the predominance of large-scale production, high level of mechanization and low absorption of non-qualified labor. It is proposed, initially, the existence of two conflicting explanations for this fact: the first, that blames our historical heritage, characterized by the predominance of the latifundio, and the second, that sees in this fact a technological determinism, with the implication that lesser concentration in agriculture would involve a loss of economic efficiency. This paper, however, attributes to the labor, land and credit policies directed to agriculture, instituted in the decade of 1960, the major responsibility for this problem. As the analysis shows, these policies turned unviable the agricultural temporary labor market and family farm, at the same time that they stimulated agricultural mechanization and large-scale production. The paper ends up proposing a deregulation both of agricultural labor and land markets, as well as a drastic reduction in the subsidized agricultural credit.

Abstract: The introduction of GMO technology into global market chains and the rejection by consumers in some markets have led to the reorganization of soybean trades. Brazil has adopted the technology later than other countries and specialized in supplying non-GMO soybean between 1996 and 2005. On the other hand, the United States and Argentina, which adopted the technology in 1996, exported to countries with less social aversion to the GM-technology. The aim of this paper is to investigate the relation between changes in global market chains (price, source and destination and market shares) and GMO technology adoption, focusing on evidences for price premiums for non-GM soybeans produced in Brazil, by the analysis of the trade unit values (TUV). In order to do so, we employ multivariate methods (Principal Components and Hierarchical Cluster analyses) and estimate a Random Effect model based on a bilateral trade dataset covering the years from 1986 to 2010. Results show that GM-technology adoption significantly changed trade patterns. However, premiums were paid for Brazilian soybean only in niche markets, where the market share is lower.

Neste trabalho, estima-se os parâmetros de uma função de custos translog, que se mostrou adequada para representar a estrutura de custos do setor de produção de frangos de corte no Brasil. Os coeficientes encontrados foram utilizados para calcular as economias de escala no setor. Os dados do estudo são de corte transversal, obtidos a partir de pesquisa de campo em uma amostra de 229 avicultores nos principais estados produtores do país. No trabalho são apresentados, também, alguns resultados relativos às características das propriedades da amostra pesquisada, que permitem inferir sobre os resultados encontrados. As estimativas de economias de escala obtidas para o modelo de custos translog apontam uma escala ótima de produção de aproximadamente 110 mil quilos de frango vivo ou 3.500m² de aviário. Conclui-se que o tamanho ótimo da exploração, obtido no trabalho empírico, é menor que o sugerido por algumas empresas de abate do setor. Estas propriedades, com produções superiores, estariam operando com deseconomias, o que poderia ocasionar uma certa pressão dos produtores por uma melhor remuneração da atividade. As evidências sugerem, também, que algumas características da pequena produção podem minimizar a importância destas economias.In this paper we estimate the parameters of a translog cost function for the broiler production activity in Brazil, to infer about scale economies in the activity. Cross-section data is used, from a survey of 229 producers in the main producing regions. Other characteristics of the producers surveyed are also discussed. Our estimates of scale economies show an optimal scale of production around 110 thousand kilos of live hens, corresponding to a 3,500 m² plant area. The paper points to the conclusion that the optimal size of exploitation is smaller than that suggested by some processing industries. Larger scale farms would be operating with diseconomies of scale, what could generate pressures for price increases in the future. The evidence suggests also that some small-scale producers characteristics could help minimize the importance of operating under optimal scale.

Pesquisas atuais mostram que o setor agropecuário do Mato Grosso tem apresentado elevado desempenho nos últimos anos, ocupando posição de setor-chave no desenvolvimento econômico do Estado. Este trabalho visa mostrar de forma empírica a importância relativa do setor agrícola na estrutura produtiva do estado, utilizando-se de um modelo insumo-produto inter-regional construído para duas regiões, a saber, Mato Grosso e o restante do Brasil, referente ao ano de 1999. Procurou-se identificar os setores mais importantes das economias em questão, seus encadeamentos e a propagação de impactos entre as regiões, além de avaliar qual o impacto das exportações de soja mato-grossenses sobre a produção total das demais atividades. Confirmou-se a hipótese formulada a respeito da importância dos setores primários para a economia do estado, verificando-se que alguns setores agrícolas e outros diretamente relacionados a estes foram identificados como chaves ou pólos de desenvolvimento econômico na região em estudo. Em especial, merece destaque a cultura da soja no Mato Grosso, a qual apresenta um elevado efeito multiplicador do emprego e renda, destacando-se também como pólo de desenvolvimento econômico, além da importância que têm as suas exportações para a economia, atraindo ganhos cambiais ao país e impactando positivamente na produção de diversos outros setores. Finalmente, o trabalho desenvolve um ferramental útil para a formulação de políticas públicas para o Estado do Mato Grosso.The purpose of this paper is to empirically show the relative importance of the agricultural sector in the productive framework of Mato Grosso State (Brazil), an inter-regional input-output model for two regions: Mato Grosso and the rest of Brazil for 1999. The idea was to identify the most important sectors of the economies in question, their connections and the propagation of impacts between regions, besides verifying the impact on the Mato Grosso soybean exports on the total production of other activities. The hypothesis on the importance of the primary sectors for the state economy has been confirmed, and some agricultural sectors and others directly linked thereto have been found to be key-sectors, or centers of economic growth in the region under study. Special mention should be given to soybean culture in Mato Grosso State, which shows a high employment and income multiplying effect on the economy, as well as being a center of economic growth and major exporter, attracting exchange gains to the country and positively impacting the production of other sectors. Finally, this paper provides a useful tool for drafting public policies for Mato Grosso State.

Este artigo apresenta uma reflexão teórica sobre os temas sociológicos envolvidos no debate sobre ruralidade e regulação ambiental nas sociedades contemporâneas. Aborda as noções de território e desenvolvimento rural a partir de um enfoque político-institucional, buscando situar contextos societários em redes amplas de interação e construção de localidades, resguardando aquilo que as conjunturas sócio-políticas particulares preservam de suas relações com totalidades concretas.This article presents a theoretical reflection of sociological themes involved in the debate on rurality and environmental regulation in contemporary societies. The paper discusses the notions of territory and rural development, starting from a political-institutional focus, attempting to locate the contexts of localities within wide nets of social reproduction. The paper's central argument emphasizes the importance of studies which insert the local power structures in the understanding of territorial dynamics.

O trabalho avalia o uso de técnicas agroecológicas pela produção familiar na região centro-sul do Estado do Paraná. Utiliza-se a metodologia de diagnóstico rápido dos sistemas agrários, tendo como referência trabalho desenvolvido na região pela AS-PTA, ONG que visa o desenvolvimento de agricultores familiares a partir do fomento de tecnologias agroecológicas. Após caracterização dos sistemas de produção dos agricultores pesquisados e do ambiente social que os cerca, finaliza-se com uma avaliação dos indicadores econômicos. Verifica-se uma relação entre o grau de capitalização dos agricultores e a adoção de práticas agroecológicas, a qual aumenta à medida que se reduz o grau de capitalização, sendo menor o risco econômico da atividade agrícola dos agricultores com maior índice de adoção. Conclui-se que há um potencial positivo da utilização da agroecologia como instrumento para o desenvolvimento sustentável de agricultores familiares, realçando-se a importância do apoio do poder público na dinamização deste processo.The paper analyzes the adoption of agro-ecological techniques by a group of small family farmers in a region of the State of Paraná. The sample of the farmers to be interviewed was obtained by applying a methodology of fast rural assessment and relied on the work of a non governmental organization (AS-PTA) that has the major responsible for the technological change in the region. A typology of producers and agrarian systems was obtained, which made it possible to evaluate the technological trajectories followed. A negative correlation was observed between the capitalization level of the farm unity and the adoption of agro-ecological techniques, suggesting that the latter are being introduced as a low risk strategy to improve the production conditions within a context of labor abundance and capital scarcity. The paper concludes that it is worth to support those farmers in their decision through more focused public policies (credit and scientific research).

A aplicação de prospectiva para cadeias produtivas engloba várias etapas como a segmentação de cada elo, a análise do ambiente institucional e organizacional que envolve a cadeia, a identificação das necessidades e aspirações de cada segmento da cadeia e dos fatores críticos para a melhoria do desempenho. Desta forma, considerando a importância econômica da produção, industrialização e comercialização do capim-limão, Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf, e visando uma ação integrada do setor agrícola envolvido, este trabalho propõe o estudo prospectivo da cadeia produtiva desta espécie no estado do Paraná, identificando também fatores e condicionantes de qualidade em cada segmento desta cadeia. Para isto, o presente estudo apresenta o panorama da produção agroindustrial e da comunidade produtora agrícola paranaense de capim-limão; identifica e caracteriza os outros segmentos que integram a respectiva cadeia produtiva no Paraná e, por fim, identifica e analisa os principais gargalos, elos faltantes e pontos de estrangulamento. Evidenciaram-se como principais componentes da cadeia produtiva: a unidade produtiva, a agroindústria, a indústria (alimentícia, farmacêutica e química) e o mercado consumidor interno (atacadista e varejista) e externo. Com esse estudo prospectivo, espera-se contribuir para a implementação de medidas político-organizacionais, entre os agentes econômicos dos setores público e privado, que fazem parte da cadeia produtiva do capim-limão, possibilitando-lhes desenvolver estratégias que aumentem a competitividade e conduzam à expansão do mercado.The application of a prospective study to productive chains incorporates several stages like the segmentation of each link, the analysis of institutional and organizational environments to include the chain, the identification of necessities and aspirations of each chain segment and the critical factors for the improvement of performance. Thus, regarding the economic importance of production, industrialization and trading of lemon grass, Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf and aiming at an integrated action of the agricultural sector involved, this paper proposes the prospective study of production chain of this species in Paraná State, identifying factors and conditioning of quality in each link of production chain. Thus the paper presents a view of: the lemon grass agricultural production in Paraná and its agricultural production community in Paraná; identifying and characterizing other segments of production chain of this species in Paraná and finally identifying and analyzing main bottlenecks, absent links and narrows points in the chain segments in the State. The following were identified as major components of the production chain: production unit, the agro-industry, the industry (nutrition, pharmaceutical and chemical) and the inside consumer market (wholesale and retail); thus, cooperating with implementation of political-organizational attitudes among economic agents of public and private sectors involved in the lemon grass production chain, enabling them to develop strategies that increase the competitiveness and expand the market.

Este artigo delimita e caracteriza o 'setor' cooperativa na economia do Paraná e desagrega o setor Agropecuária e os setores componentes da Indústria Alimentar das matrizes de insumo-produto, construídas para o Estado para os anos de 1980 e 1985, em Cooperativa e não-Cooperativa. O objetivo da pesquisa é caracterizar, de forma sistêmica, o perfil das relações intersetoriais, detectar os setores-chave e verificar a evolução da estrutura produtiva paranaense, destacando o(s) setor(es) relacionados às Cooperativas. A análise é realizada considerando 40 setores. As principais conclusões mostram que: os setores Celulose, Papel e Gráfica e Indústria Têxtil foram chave em 1980 e 1985, portanto, setores dinâmicos e importantes para o crescimento da economia estadual; a estrutura produtiva paranaense mostrou-se mais diversificada de 1980 para 1985, revelando conseqüente incremento da complexidade econômica; os coeficientes técnicos das cooperativas agropecuárias apresentaram-se muito similares aos das empresas não-cooperativas, evidenciando que aquelas estão acompanhando, de perto, a evolução tecnológica ocorrida nas não-cooperativas que atuam nos setores Agropecuária e na Indústria Alimentar.This paper delimits and characterizes the cooperative sector in Parana economy and breaks down the agricultural sectors and the components of food processing industries of input-output tables, built for State for the years of 1980 and 1985, in Cooperative and non-Cooperative sectors. The goal is to characterize, in systemic order, the intersectorial relations outline, detect the key- sectors and verify the evolution of the productive structure in Parana, highlighting the sectors related to Cooperatives. The analysis is made for 40 sectors. The main conclusions showed that: Paper Prod. & Printing and Textiles sectors were key-sectors in 1980 and 1985, therefore, dynamic and important sectors for the State's economic growth; the productive structure of Parana proved to be more diversified from 1980 to 1985, showing consequent increase of economic complexity; the agricultural cooperatives technical coefficient were very similar to the non-cooperatives, showing that the first are closely following the technological evolution occurred in the non-cooperatives that act in Agricultural sector and food processing industries.

No presente trabalho, analisou-se a rentabilidade econômica dos reflorestamentos com essências nativas brasileiras destinados à produção de toras, considerando como caso em estudo o Estado de São Paulo. Na revisão de literatura, constatou-se que poucos são os trabalhos publicados a respeito do reflorestamento com essências nativas e com um longo período de observação. Dentre esses trabalhos, destacou-se um, no qual os autores recomendaram três espécies florestais como viáveis para reflorestamentos comerciais: Centrolobium tomentosum (araruva), Balfourodendron riedelianum (pau-marfim) e Araucaria angustifolia (pinheiro-brasileiro). Após recuperar as informações técnicas dos experimentos com essas essências nativas, realizou-se a análise de rentabilidade econômica de possíveis projetos, em condições deterministas e de risco. Concluiu-se que, do ponto de vista privado, os projetos de reflorestamento com essas essências nativas são viáveis economicamente. Diante desse cenário, sugerem-se novas linhas de pesquisa técnica capazes de gerar resultados que assegurem maior confiabilidade e ampliação na rentabilidade dos projetos de reflorestamento com essências nativas brasileiras.This paper analyzes the economic profitability of native-tree reforestation for the production of sawlogs. The projects evaluated are experimental rather than commercial and are located in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. These experimental plots were reforested with the native tree species Centrolobium tomentosum ("araruva"), Balforodendron riedelianum ("pau-marfim") and Araucaria angustifolia ("pinheiro-brasileiro"), recommended for their economic value by a previous evaluation of long-term native-tree reforestation. Economic profitability analyses were made under both deterministic and risk conditions using data from the reforestation experiments. It was found that all the experiments would be profitable. This paper concludes with the suggestion that new research needs to be conducted to improve the genetic material used for reforestation, as superior stock would increase productivity and promote consistent economic profitability.

Since 2008 Portugal began to be influenced by a financial crisis, public budget troubles and an economic crisis. In line with the new economic paradigm within the EU, is publicly acknowledged that the overcoming of this crisis should be based on the production of transactional goods, where the agricultural sector deserves a special attention. The objective of this paper is to analyze the economic role of the Portuguese agricultural marketing cooperatives, including an overview of the Portuguese agricultural sector, the typology of Portuguese cooperatives and position in the agro food chain, the institutional environment, internal governance and performance of the agricultural cooperatives.

Although Portugal registers a large number of protected brand names, its economic turnover is very low when compared to the other southern EU-Member States. To identify and analyze the main reasons of this weak economic significance of the Portuguese quality traditional agrifood products are the main goals of this paper. The main conclusions from the data gathered in step one of the research, which main goal was to understand the main reasons why agricultural firms do not adhere to the PDO/PGI food systems, are related with several issues, namely: the economic and transactions costs of certification, the heavy bureaucracy related to the certification process, the small difference in prices between PDO/PGI products and standard products, within the same reference market, and the preferences of Portuguese consumers. According to the respondents, Portuguese consumers do not know nor socially valorize PDO/PGI products, and privilege (i) traditional/local standard products, instead of PDO/PGI products, and (ii) proximity marketed relationships. These latter findings contribute to highlight, not only why the interviewed firms do not adhere to the PDO/PGI systems, but also why the Portuguese PDO/PGI domestic market is narrow when compared with the ones of southern EU-Member States.

The unfavoured Portuguese regions have a level of life and economic growth rates lower than favoured regions, and the mean of European Union and hence have less entrepreneurial activities. The adoption of strategies of sustainable development driven by entrepreneurship phenomena could be a viable solution. Thus, the likely relationships between entrepreneurship and regional features were described, and sources of entrepreneurship opportunities for strategies based on the own regional resources and competitive advantages were identified. The paper concludes that, for the Alentejo region, some habitat variables should be reinforced for promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development, and the main opportunities are related to the economic activities that belong to the regional productive profile of specialization.

This paper aims to analyze the cooperation and learning processes in the local system of vitiviniculture production of Serra Gaúcha's region (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), in order to characterize the dynamics of innovation of the firms located there. In methodological terms, a non-probabilistic exploratory study has been conducted. Field research in 20 wineries as well as interviews with related organizations were carried out in order to understand which learning mechanisms support innovative strategies adopted by enterprises. Since learning processes are also the result of local interactions, it was necessary to understand whether these interactions produced cooperative links. The results showed that innovations made by the firms were basically incremental. To do so, they use their intrinsic learning processes as well as external agents. These agents can be located in the region or elsewhere. The geographical proximity becomes more relevant for smaller firms. It was still possible to perceive the existence of cooperation in both vertical and horizontal level. Most frequent actions of vertical cooperation occur especially between firms and their suppliers. When horizontal cooperation occurs between enterprises, it takes place particularly in international trading.

This paper aims to analyze the cooperation and learning processes in the local system of vitiviniculture production of Serra Gaúcha's region (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), in order to characterize the dynamics of innovation of the firms located there. In methodological terms, a non-probabilistic exploratory study has been conducted. Field research in 20 wineries as well as interviews with related organizations were carried out in order to understand which learning mechanisms support innovative strategies adopted by enterprises. Since learning processes are also the result of local interactions, it was necessary to understand whether these interactions produced cooperative links. The results showed that innovations made by the firms were basically incremental. To do so, they use their intrinsic learning processes as well as external agents. These agents can be located in the region or elsewhere. The geographical proximity becomes more relevant for smaller firms. It was still possible to perceive the existence of cooperation in both vertical and horizontal level. Most frequent actions of vertical cooperation occur especially between firms and their suppliers. When horizontal cooperation occurs between enterprises, it takes place particularly in international trading.

O objetivo do artigo é analisar a emergência do problema do trabalho infantil no cultivo de tabaco em Agudo, desencadeado pela promulgação do Decreto n. 6.481/2008, que trata das piores formas de trabalho infantil. Os procedimentos metodológicos utilizados foram a revisão bibliográfica, pesquisa documental e um estudo de caso, realizado no município de Agudo, Rio Grande do Sul. No estudo de caso, procurou-se obter dados quantitativos e qualitativos, por meio de questionários e entrevistas abertas, dirigidos para 27 agricultores familiares fumicultores, com filhos com menos de 18 anos de idade. Os resultados da pesquisa indicam a existência de um confronto entre diferentes concepções sobre o trabalho da criança no âmbito da agricultura familiar. Os dispositivos legais, os termos de compromissos e os contratos de integração na cadeia produtiva do fumo proíbem o trabalho de menores de 18 anos, fundamentando-se nos princípios internacionais da garantia do pleno desenvolvimento das crianças. Na perspectiva das famílias, o trabalho das crianças é entendido como "ajuda", forma de socialização e formação dos herdeiros. Portanto, os pais não concordam que se trata de uma forma perversa de exploração do trabalho dos próprios filhos.The aim of this paper is to analyze the emergence of the child labor problem in tobacco growing in Agudo (Rio Grande do Sul state), triggered by the promulgation of Act 6.481/2008, which addresses the worst child labor conditions. The methodological procedures used were the literature review, desk research and a case study, conducted in the municipality of Agudo. In the case study, we have tried to obtain quantitative and qualitative data through questionnaires and open interviews directed to 27 tobacco growers, and with teenagers and children under 18 years old. The survey results indicate the existence of a clash between different conceptions of child labor in small scale family farmers. The legal devices, the commitment terms and the tobacco supply chain contracts forbid child labor below the age of 18 based on international agreements and regulations which guarantee childhood development. From the perspective of the families, child labor is understood as "help" and a way of socialization and training of the inheritor. Therefore, parents do not agree that child labor is a perverse form of labor exploitation of their children.

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar a performance da execução orçamentária do financiamento da política territorial, tomando-se como base o Programa de Desenvolvimento Sustentável dos Territórios Rurais (Pronat) e o Programa Territórios da Cidadania (PTC). Para tal exame foram entrevistados atores estratégicos destes programas e sistematizados os dados relacionados ao desempenho da política até 2009, analisando-se a composição dos recursos que viabilizam a mesma e as questões que facultam ou obstaculizam o fluxo de recursos necessários ao financiamento de despesas de custeio e investimento nas diferentes subfunções que compõem os programas. Os resultados deste trabalho mostram a complexidade e, ao mesmo tempo, as inovações que o arranjo institucional das políticas em escala territorial traz para a cena orçamentária, seja no que tange ao levantamento e lastreamento de fontes dos recursos alocados, seja no que se refere à forma de aplicação desses recursos segundo áreas geográficas e linhas programáticas de ação.The aim of this paper is to present the budget execution performance of the financing of territorial policy referring to the Sustainable Development Program of Rural Areas (Pronat) and Territories of Citizenship Program (PTC). To perform this study actors' strategic programs were interviewed and data on the performance of politics until 2009 were systematized. We analyzed the composition of resources that allow it, as well as issues that will enable or hinder the flow of resources required to finance operating expenses and investment in different subfunctions that compose programs. Results of this study show the complexity and, at the same time, innovations that institutional policies at territorial level budget brings to the scene, whether regarding lifting and ballasting sources of allocated resources, whether regarding the form of application of these resources according to geographical areas and lines of programmatic action.

O crédito é um instrumento que fornece aos empreendedores os meios para desempenhar um papel ativo na economia. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de analisar os impactos econômicos do crédito rural na microrregião de Pirapora, sendo esta uma das sete microrregiões do norte de Minas Gerais. Os impactos das operações de crédito rural em relação ao PIB Total per capita e aos PIBs setoriais per capita foram identificados e analisados, além do seu possível efeito sobre o índice Mineiro de Responsabilidade Social (IMRS). Para tanto, foi utilizada a metodologia de dados em painel, considerando-se o período de 2000 a 2004. Foi possível perceber os impactos positivos do crédito rural sobre as atividades econômicas do setor agropecuário, principal beneficiado pelo crédito rural. Dado que o crédito rural proporciona liquidez na economia local, foi possível observar, ainda, os efeitos do crédito rural sobre outros setores. Os resultados indicam possível restrição no acesso ao crédito, ao serem verificados os efeitos diretos do crédito rural sobre o IMRS.Credit is an instrument that supplies the entrepreneurs ways to play an active role in the economy. The objective of this paper is to analyze the economic impacts of the rural credit in the microregion of Pirapora, one of the seven microregions in the north of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The impacts of rural credit regarding the total and by sector GDP per capita are measured and analyzed. In addition, the possible effects of rural credit on the índice Mineiro de Responsabilidade Social (IMRS - Minas Gerais State Social Responsibility Index) are identified. The panel data model is used, considering the period from 2000 to 2004. Results indicate that the agricultural sector is the main beneficiary of rural credit. Since the rural credit provides liquidity in the local economy, the effects of rural credit on other sectors are observed. A possible restriction on credit access is observed, when the direct effects of rural credit on the IMRS are measured.

O presente estudo faz uma revisão crítica da literatura sobre a mudança tecnológica na agricultura e uma breve descrição da abordagem alternativa do crescimento agrícola. Na literatura tradicional, apresentam-se a difusão tecnológica, o dualismo produtivo e a inovação induzida. Na visão dinâmica, mostra-se a abordagem alternativa do crescimento agrícola, bem como a importância das inovações e da capacidade de absorção de conhecimentos. A grande limitação dos estudos tradicionais, ao abordarem o crescimento agrícola, é a ausência de explicações da busca tecnológica e do processo de aprendizado. A compreensão do setor agrícola deve identificar que nem todo o desenvolvimento tecnológico e geração de novos conhecimentos estão cristalizados nos insumos produtivos. A agricultura não funciona por meio de agentes receptores passivos de tecnologias. O processo de inovação na agricultura é estruturado dentro de complexos arranjos produtivos e de instituições (públicas e privadas) promotoras do conhecimento. Os investimentos e as atividades de experimentação são exercidos dentro da unidade produtiva, gerando maior estoque de conhecimento e ampla capacidade de absorção, além de estimular a apropriação privada dos ganhos produtivos.This paper presents a critical review on the literature related to technological change in agriculture, and makes a brief description of the alternative approach for agricultural growth. In the traditional literature, technological diffusion, productive dualism and induced innovation are studied. In the dynamic view, the alternative approach of agricultural growth is discussed together with the importance of innovation process and the ability to explore external knowledge. The major limitation of traditional thinking about agricultural growth is the absence of explanations on innovation and learning process. The agricultural sector must recognize that not all technological development and new knowledge come with the acquisition of inputs. Agriculture does not cater to the means of agents who will simply be the receptors of technology. The innovation process within agriculture is organized through complex, production systems, as well as institutions, both private and public, which promote knowledge. Investments and experimentation activities occur within the unit of production, thus creating a wider knowledge stock and a larger absorptive capacity, in addition to fostering the private appropriation of productive gains.