Geraldo B. Martha Jr. from Embrapa gave introductory remarks at an event on transforming agriculture at IFPRI in Washington D.C. in May 2018. He presented data showing that from 1961-1970, 71.5% of countries had less than a 1% total factor productivity growth in agriculture, indicating it was a laggard sector, while in Brazil 38.7% of countries had less than 1% growth from 2001-2013, demonstrating that agriculture had become more dynamic in Brazil. The data was from the USDA-ERS and analyzed by Martha to illustrate the transformation of agriculture in Brazil and beyond.

1. Geraldo B. Martha Jr.
Coordinator,
Embrapa, Labex-USA
Transforming agriculture:
Introductory remarks
Transforming Agriculture:
Experiences and Insights from Brazil and Beyond
IFPRI, Washington, DC, May 15, 2018

2. The evolution of total factor productivity in agriculture
0.0%
20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0%
100.0%
0.17% 0.50% 1.02% 1.50% 2.39% 2.94% 3.15% > 3.15%
1961-1970
0.0%
20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0%
100.0%
0.17% 0.50% 1.02% 1.50% 2.39% 2.94% 3.15% > 3.15%
2001-2013
- 71.5% of the countries with
a TFP less than 1%;
- Agriculture is a laggard
sector in Brazil.
- 38.7% of the countries with
a TFP less than 1%;
- Agriculture is a dynamic
sector in Brazil.
Data from USDA-ERS (K.Fuglie & N.Rada). Elaboration G.Martha, Embrapa labex-USA (2018).

3. Transforming Agriculture:
Experiences and Insights from Brazil and Beyond
IFPRI, Washington, DC, May 15, 2018