Agricultural Productivity in the Latin America and Caribbean Region (1961-2021)
Peer Reviewed
Date issued
Dec 2024
Subject
Agricultural Productivity;
Economic Development;
Productivity;
Productivity Growth;
Agriculture and Food Security;
Rural Development;
Labor;
Food Security;
Debtor Finance;
Agricultural Policy
JEL code
Q15 - Land Ownership and Tenure • Land Reform • Land Use • Irrigation • Agriculture and Environment;
Q54 - Climate • Natural Disasters and Their Management • Global Warming;
O13 - Agriculture • Natural Resources • Energy • Environment • Other Primary Products
Category
Technical Notes
Agricultural productivity has been a critical driver of economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) over the past six decades. However, while agricultural output is still rising, recent trends suggest a decline in agricultural productivity and an increasing reliance on input use, which could have harmful effects on the environment and natural resources. This study aims to analyze the historical trends of agricultural productivity in LAC while assessing the heterogeneous dynamics among subregions and countries, using a unique dataset compiled by the USDA, combined with FAO and ILO data for the period from 1961 to 2021. Agricultural productivity is essential for addressing LAC's interconnected challenges of poverty, food insecurity, and climate change. Hence, understanding its drivers is key to designing comprehensive policies to improve efficiency and ensure long-term sustainable development across the region.
NO
