LAND PRODUCTIVITY IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF THE STATE OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL AND ITS EVOLUTION FROM 1975 TO 2006

Abstract

The main objectives of this paper were to analyze the change in the productivity of land in the agricultural sector of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) from 1975 to 2006 and to identify the variables that influenced the productivity changes. The study is based on data from the agricultural census of 1975, 1995/96 and 2006. In order to compare the data of these three periods, the counties of RS were aggregated in regions geographically homogeneous from 1975 to 2006 (a total of 156 regions). The econometric results are based on a static panel data model. The results show that land productivity is negatively affected by the inequality in the land distribution among farms and the size of properties. On the other hand the labor, machineries and cattle are positively related to productivity.

Keywords

• produtividade da terra, setor agropecuário do RS, dados em painel