Economics of farming systems development in the Brazilian savannah

The savannah region around the tropical rainforest in Latin America shows great economic potential and at the same time signs of ecologically and socially unbalanced development. Soil losses, contamination of rivers, destruction of gallery forests and extinction of plant and animal species are all taking place in the area. Ecologically sound and economically viable development could enable the savannah to contribute in various ways to environmental protection. Evidence shows that the savannah region has the capacity to alleviate pressure on the Amazon rainforest by absorbing capital investment, providing employment in agribusiness and by new ways to generate higher farming incomes in the savannah region. This study provides some socio-economic components to develop a strategy for ecologically sound and economically viable management of the savannah’s resources and farming systems. It analyses the development potential and environmental, social and economic consequences of predominant savannah systems.