Brazil stands out in Latin America for supporting family farming
Brazil stands out among Latin American countries for supporting family farming, but it still has more to learn on the relationship between the public and the private sector, such as agribusiness.
Brazil stands out among Latin American countries for supporting family farming, but still has more to learn on the relationship between the public and the private sector, such as agribusiness, says Mônica Rodrigues, Economic Affairs Officer of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
“Among Brazil's exports is its reputation for government support of family farming. This is something quite interesting you realize when visiting other countries. Brazil is the only Latin American country that has a dedicated ministry for agricultural development focused mainly on small producers. This is a major advancement where Brazil could inspire other countries,” Rodrigues said today (Nov. 28) during the Agricultural Outlook Forum South America held in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, which addresses innovation and sustainability in agriculture.
Rodrigues pointed out that Latin America has public-private partnership expertise to share with Brazil. “Resources are limited forcing the government to choose priority areas to support. That's where I think private participation could play an important role, and Brazil could learn from other Latin American countries. Brazil is a country rich in resources, so perhaps it is getting too dependent on public policies concentrated by the central government,” she explained.
The UN representative went on to note that Brazil's democratic political system creates room for dialogue, so when the government hears from private organizations, it gives them ways to participate more actively. She praised the development of new technologies led by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), but argued that the government role is still too dominant.
Currently at least 5 million families live on farming and produce most of the food consumed in Brazil. Smallholder farming is found in 84% of farms and accounts for about 33% of the total production in rural areas, according to the latest survey by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).
The Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA) reports that family agriculture takes up approximately 25% of farmland in Brazil. At the other end is agribusiness, which in 2013 accounted for 41% of the country's total exports.
*The reporter was invited to attend by the event organizers.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Brazil stands out in Latin America for supporting family farming
