Agricultural Productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean and Sources of Growth

Agricultural productivity in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries between 1961 and 2001 increased due to market regulation, economic openness, and estate reduction. In the six major sections of this chapter, we analyze the evolution of this productivity as well as the output and input growth for the agricultural and livestock sectors. We look closely at economic indicators related to food demand and population growth as well as total factor productivity growth for the region, with an emphasis on the Brazilian and Colombian agricultural sectors. We also discuss some sources of productivity growth, highlighting agricultural research, rural extension, schooling, and nutrition, and ultimately review income improvement and poverty reduction studies.