Brazilian agrifood system and challenges in STI: a social and economic agenda

Abstract

This article presents and analyzes several central facets that identified in broad terms the development of agrarian capitalism, which structured the transition from the old primary sector and the formation of a modern agrifood system. In particular, it shows the decisive role of productivity as the nevralgic channel in this process of transformation. Additionally, it points out the main characteristics of this historical passage as applied to the Brazilian case. The text introduces brief interpretative readings extracted from articles of a recently published book. In its final section, possible future research efforts are recommended to be carried out as part of an agenda in science, technology, and innovation, also segmented by the subfields that constitute Social Sciences. Confronted with its ample ambitions, this article also points out its analytical limitations, suggesting that new initiatives may advance the searched knowledge here proposed.