The consolidation of agribusiness as the hegemonic production model in Brazil and the externalities of its expansion

Abstract

Last decades in Brazil, both in the political debate or media advertisements, agribusiness is presented as the major responsible for the production increase in various segments of farming and cattle-raising, being the main sector that contributes to the trading surplus, the high growth of the GDP and the new jobs creation. Furthermore, different agents of national and foreign private capital commonly highlight the importance of the model for food security and for the country's socioeconomic development. However, in order to legitimize its modus operandi as the only way for the practice of farming in the countryside, agribusiness relies on a very persuasive discourse, supported by macroeconomic figures and political privileges, displacing attention from the numerous negative externalities that emerge from its productive activities. Therefore, this work portrays the historical process of agriculture modernization and cattle raising in Brazil, as well as its creators, its policies, and its ideological assumptions – all of which prepared the ground for the consolidation of agribusiness as the hegemonic production system. In addition, the political and economic organization of this sector is presented, as well as its main leaders and their legitimization strategies toward society. Finally, this article highlights the various data that denounce the contradictions present in agribusiness and contradict the main points that have helped to build its image as a successful, highly profitable, and sustainable production model.

Keywords: Hegemony; Agribusiness; Capitalist Production; Green Revolution; Pandemic.