TERRITORIAL DYNAMICS OF THE UPLAND RICE CULTIVATION IN THE WEST-CENTRAL BRAZIL

Abstract

Upland rice cultivation in Brazil is often presented as an example of mechanised large-scale agriculture. However, one of the main roles of this cultivation remains the opening of agricultural lands in the frontier expansion process, especially for soybean cultivation. Among the problems faced by upland rice activity is its very unsteady market; soybeans, on the other hand, have become an important Brazilian export, and the international market sets its price. In this context, five production dynamics were identified in West Central Brazil. They show that upland rice is still used for opening lands but has not become a set alternative in crop rotation systems.