Soybean development: the impact of a decade of agricultural change on urban and economic growth in Mato Grosso, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: In this research we consider the impact of export-driven, soybean agriculture in Mato Grosso on regional economic growth. Here we argue that the soybean sector has served as a motor to the state's economy by increasing the demand for services, housing, and goods, and by providing a source of investment capital to the non-agricultural sector. Specifically, we show that each square kilometer of soybean production supports 2.5 formal sector jobs outside of agriculture, and the equivalent of approximately 150,000US in annual, non-agricultural GDP. We also show that annual gains in non-agricultural employment and GDP are closely tied to soybean profitability, and thus vary from year to year. However, while this article highlights the potential of the agricultural sector as a driver of regional

SUBMITTER: Richards P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4412665 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature