Agriculture modernization factors at Parana for the years 1995 and 2006

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze factors of the modernization of the agricultural sector of Paraná for the years 1995 and 2006. The Census (IBGE) data were used. Two methods for the treatment and analysis of data were used: Factor analysis and spatial data and analysis. The factor analysis allowed the construction of the Index of Agricultural Modernization (IAM); the next step was to adopt Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) to determine patterns of spatial concentration. The results showed that the indicators that contributed in the formation of IMAs were machinery, fertilizers and correctives, seeds and seedlings, pesticides and irrigation, respectively. Three clusters of low IAM and six clusters of high IAM were identified. Regarding the characteristics of clusters of low IMA, we verify that they occur in areas of low HDI, topography and soil unfit or restricted to mechanization, lower fertility, vulnerable to erosion, low agricultural productivity and poorly capitalized. The clusters of high IAM occur in areas of best HDI (Human Development Index) with flat relief mechanization, fertile and low constraint to agricultural production soils strongly related to high productivity and capitalization.