Agricultural Modernization in Rio Grande do Sul: a study in the cities and mesoregions

Abstract

The sole purpose of this present work is to verify and scrutinize the differences in the levels of modernization of mesoregions and cities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul by creating an Agricultural Modernization Index (IMA). Accordingly, 24 agricultural modernization variables were surveyed towards 496 cities in the State during 2006, rendering the factor analysis to data processor focusing on the construction of IMA. The IMA average figure for the purpose of Rio Grande do Sul is 0.5394 which demonstrates figures above the index average. Therefore, it was concluded that the city of Uruguaiana has the highest level of agricultural modernization in Rio Grande do Sul. The cities with these highest levels standards are highlighted in the agricultural activity in the State which gives evidence to the high intensity of the modernization activity. Agricultural modernization analysis in Rio Grande do Sul mesoregions presents some discrepancies upon the IMA between regions, despite the fact of not being quite significant. The Metropolitan and southwest State regions indicate higher Agricultural Modernization in the meantime southeast to indicate lower Agricultural Modernization Index.