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Soybeans, Poverty and Inequality in the Brazilian Amazon

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  • Weinhold, Diana
  • Killick, Evan
  • Reis, Eustáquio J.

Abstract

Using a mixed-method approach of econometric and ethnographic field research, this article examines the social and economic costs and benefits of increases in soybean production in the Brazilian Amazon. Statistical analysis suggests that increased soy production both reduces poverty indicators and raises median rural incomes, but is also associated with increased measures of inequality. Qualitative fieldwork sheds light on the wider political and social causes and consequences of this increasing inequality, pointing to ethnic differences between large soy farmers and local populations that raise long standing prejudices and tensions.

Suggested Citation

  • Weinhold, Diana & Killick, Evan & Reis, Eustáquio J., 2013. "Soybeans, Poverty and Inequality in the Brazilian Amazon," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 132-143.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:52:y:2013:i:c:p:132-143
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.11.016
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    1. Corrina Steward, 2007. "From colonization to “environmental soy”: A case study of environmental and socio-economic valuation in the Amazon soy frontier," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 24(1), pages 107-122, March.
    2. Andersen,Lykke E. & Granger,Clive W. J. & Reis,Eustaquio J. & Weinhold,Diana & Wunder,Sven, 2002. "The Dynamics of Deforestation and Economic Growth in the Brazilian Amazon," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521811972, December.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Siewers, Samuel, 2025. "The (other) China shock and the Brazilian soy boom: Cui bono?," University of Göttingen Working Papers in Economics 437, University of Goettingen, Department of Economics.
    2. Arata, Linda & Hauschild, Sofia & Sckokai, Paolo, 2018. "Economic and social impact of grape growing in Northeastern Brazil," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 6(3), May.
    3. Reis, Tiago N.P. dos & Bastos Lima, Mairon G. & Russo Lopes, Gabriela & Meyfroidt, Patrick, 2024. "Not all supply chains are created equal: The linkages between soy local trade relations and development outcomes in Brazil," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    4. Russo Lopes, Gabriela & Bastos Lima, Mairon G. & Reis, Tiago N.P. dos, 2021. "Maldevelopment revisited: Inclusiveness and social impacts of soy expansion over Brazil’s Cerrado in Matopiba," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    5. Avery S. Cohn & Juliana Gil & Thomas Berger & Heitor Pellegrina & Chantal Toledo, "undated". "Patterns and Processes of Pasture to Crop Conversion in Brazil: Evidence from Mato Grosso State," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 8ce99775615f42b98ff43f530, Mathematica Policy Research.
    6. Arata, Linda & Hauschild, Sofia & Sckokai, Paolo, 2017. "Socio-economic impact of grape growing in North-eastern Brazil," 2017 Sixth AIEAA Conference, June 15-16, Piacenza, Italy 261264, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA).
    7. Crepin, Léa, 2024. "Do forest conservation policies undermine the soybean sector in the Brazilian Amazon? Evidence from the priority listing of municipalities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    8. Sujin Choi & Hanho Kim, 2016. "The impact of conglomerate farming on the poor: Empirical evidence from the Brazil soy sector," International Area Studies Review, Center for International Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, vol. 19(2), pages 147-164, June.
    9. Léa Crepin, 2022. "Do forest conservation policies undermine the soybean sector in the Brazilian Amazon? Evidence from the blacklisting of municipalities," Working Papers 2022.07, FAERE - French Association of Environmental and Resource Economists.
    10. Peter Richards & Heitor Pellegrina & Leah VanWey & Stephanie Spera, 2015. "Soybean Development: The Impact of a Decade of Agricultural Change on Urban and Economic Growth in Mato Grosso, Brazil," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(4), pages 1-18, April.
    11. Habineza M. Jean Pierre & Josiah M. Kinama & Florence M. Olubayo & Susan W. Wanderi & James W. Muthomi & Felister M. Nzuve, 2018. "Effect of Intercroping Maize-Soybean on Grain Quality Traits in Kenya," Journal of Agricultural Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(2), pages 341-341, January.
    12. Luiz Antonio Martinelli & Mateus Batistella & Ramon Felipe Bicudo da Silva & Emilio Moran, 2017. "Soy Expansion and Socioeconomic Development in Municipalities of Brazil," Land, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-14, September.
    13. Simone Piras & Valdemar João Wesz & Stefano Ghinoi, 2021. "Soy Expansion, Environment, and Human Development: An Analysis across Brazilian Municipalities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-20, June.
    14. Cong, Rong-Gang & Stefaniak, Irena & Madsen, Bjarne & Dalgaard, Tommy & Jensen, Jørgen Dejgård & Nainggolan, Doan & Termansen, Mette, 2017. "Where to implement local biotech innovations? A framework for multi-scale socio-economic and environmental impact assessment of Green Bio-Refineries," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 141-151.
    15. Marije Schaafsma & Ilda Dreoni & Lacour Mody Ayompe & Benis N. Egoh & Dewa Putu Ekayana & Arilson Favareto & Sonny Mumbunan & Louise Nakagawa & Jonas Ngouhouo‐poufoun & Marieke Sassen & Thiago Kanashi, 2023. "Mapping social impacts of agricultural commodity trade onto the sustainable development goals," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(4), pages 2363-2385, August.
    16. Baumert, Sophia & Fisher, Janet & Ryan, Casey & Woollen, Emily & Vollmer, Frank & Artur, Luis & Zorrilla-Miras, Pedro & Mahamane, Mansour, 2019. "Forgone opportunities of large-scale agricultural investment: A comparison of three models of soya production in Central Mozambique," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 16(C).
    17. Peter Richards, 2018. "It’s not just where you farm; it’s whether your neighbor does too. How agglomeration economies are shaping new agricultural landscapes," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 18(1), pages 87-110.
    18. Ferreira, Susane Cristini Gomes & Azevedo-Ramos, Claudia & Farias, Hilder André Bezerra & Mota, Pedro, 2023. "Spillover effect of the oil palm boom on the growth of surrounding towns in the eastern Amazon," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    19. Marije Schaafsma & Ilda Dreoni & Lacour Mody Ayompe & Benis Egoh & Dewa Putu Ekayana & Arilson Favareto & Sonny Mumbunan & Louise Nakagawa & Jonas Ngouhouo‐poufoun & Marieke Sassen & Thiago Kanashiro , 2023. "A framework to understand the social impacts of agricultural trade," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(1), pages 138-150, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    agriculture; poverty; soybeans; Brazil; Amazonia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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