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A Critical Appraisal of Agrarian Policies in Central America

In: Agrarian Policies in Central America

Author

Listed:
  • Wim Pelupessy
  • Ruerd Ruben

Abstract

The agrarian sector in Central America is accurately characterized by a high concentration of land ownership, fragmentation of rural factor and commodity markets and a limited degree of institutional development (Baumeister, 1987; Brockett, 1988). The traditionally polarized agrarian structure forced a large sector of the peasantry into production of basic grains for the domestic market, while agro- export production (coffee, banana, sugar cane, meat) and non- traditional crops are controlled by a small number of medium and large producers (Pelupessy, 1991: 160; 1997: 89). Agrarian reforms and other adjustment strategies only marginally changed rural society, since the economic conditions of production (relative prices, access to credit and services, availability of infrastructure) retained their agro-export bias. Relations of production of most of the rural working force and the main agro-export producers have remained unaffected by any kind of reform.

Suggested Citation

  • Wim Pelupessy & Ruerd Ruben, 2000. "A Critical Appraisal of Agrarian Policies in Central America," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Wim Pelupessy & Ruerd Ruben (ed.), Agrarian Policies in Central America, chapter 1, pages 1-16, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-0-333-98270-9_1
    DOI: 10.1057/9780333982709_1
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