Agricultural expansion and intensification in Brazil: A literature synthesis of dynamics, drivers, and implications

Haijun Li

Brazil’s long-term agricultural development reflects a complex interplay between human-driven land-use change and natural ecosystems. Since the 1960s, agricultural production in Brazil has expanded rapidly, driven by global food demand and national economic growth, through two primary pathways: (1) agricultural expansion via conversion of natural vegetation, particularly forests, and (2) agricultural intensification through increased cropping frequency, adoption of agrochemicals, high-yielding crop varieties, and improved livestock breeding. While these processes have substantially increased food production, they have also generated significant environmental consequences, including deforestation, biodiversity loss, carbon emissions, soil degradation, and water pollution. In the context of a growing global population, rising global food demand, and climate change, reconciling agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability remains a critical challenge. This paper synthesizes the existing literature to examine the dynamics, drivers, and environmental implications of agricultural expansion and intensification in Brazil, providing insights to support the development of more sustainable agricultural systems.