DINAMICS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN MARANHÃO STATE BETWEEN 1990 AND 2017

Abstract

The state of Maranhão stood out for many years with the agricultural production of sugarcane, rice and cotton, but over the years it has lost its strength and, currently, contributes in a small but growing way, with the production of soy and corn in the country. This study uses the shift-share method for evaluates the agricultural scenario of Maranhão state between 1990 and 2017, through the annual series of productivity values, harvested areas, quantity produced and land productivity of agri-food crops (rice, beans, cassava and corn) and agro-industrial crops (soybeans, cotton, sugar cane). The results showed that there was a reduction in the areas harvested for rice, beans, cassava and corn, but, on the other hand, there was a significant increase in the areas of soybean, herbaceous cotton and sugar cane. The gradual process of replacing areas destined for agri-food crops by agro-industrial crops, especially soybeans, also became evident. It is concluded that the area is still a determining factor for the growth of the value of the production of Maranhão state, even with the technological advances presented by the cities located in the South region and in the Lower Parnaíba.