A ilusão da produtividade agropecuária

Abstract

The text questions the dominant narrative that agricultural production growth stems essentially from productivity gains, arguing that this interpretation is reductionist and ignores the biophysical and ecological basis of production. Agriculture is presented as a process intrinsically dependent on photosynthesis and ecosystem services, such as soil, water, biodiversity, and climate stability, which cannot be treated as mere economic inputs. The increase in production observed throughout the 20th century largely results from the intensified use of fertilizers, pesticides, machinery, and fossil fuels, frequently replacing degraded ecological services. From this perspective, so-called productivity gains and the increase in Total Factor Productivity (TFP) conceal a process of ecological decapitalization, converting natural resources into immediate productive flows. Thus, conventional indicators register short-term efficiency but mask the loss of resilience, climate vulnerability, and structural unsustainability of the contemporary agricultural system.