Agricultural productivity: Closing the gap between Brazil and the United States

Abstract

Since the 1970s, Brazilian agriculture has undergone far-reaching changes and has played a major role in agricultural production worldwide. This article assesses the structural heterogeneity prevailing in Brazilian and United States agriculture by studying total factor productivity (tfp), which has increased in both economies, mainly through technologies allowing for economies in the use of land and labour. Although higher growth rates have enabled Brazil to narrow the productivity gap with the United States, this does not mean its productivity is superior. Each country's production structure has specific features; and productivity differences can be seen not only between but also within countries, owing to a variety of factors, including climate, technology and learning in the production process.

International engagement of Brazilian agribusinesses: a comparative analysis

“…Agricultural modernization in the United States began in the 1950s with improvements in the quality of inputs, such as machinery and chemicals. In livestock production, larger scale and integration between rural producers, input suppliers and processors enhanced the efficiency of production practices (Vieira Filho and Fornazier, 2016). The largest importers of agricultural products from the United States are China, Canada, Mexico, Japan and the European Union (Westcott and Trostle, 2014).…”

Impactos do Pronaf sobre a eficiência técnica da agricultura familiar no Brasil

“…Entretanto, essa heterogeneidade é notada tanto na agricultura familiar quanto na não familiar. Por isso, Vieira Filho eFornazier (2016) ressaltam que a afirmação de que a agricultura familiar é a mais vulnerável, no acesso à tecnologia, não se aplicada a todos os membros desta categoria.…”