Hegemonismos, pactos e impactos da sojicultura – territorialização e desterritorialização no Pampa gaúcho

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the dynamics of soybean farming in Pampa of Rio Grande do Sul, the configuration of its production chain, the local-global relations that hegemonize the territories and the pacts and impacts generated by its reproduction in geographic space. The methodology used was based on the materialist, historical and dialectical method to highlight and problematize the intended discussion, incorporated by the comparative method, through bibliographical review and use of recognized sources. Initially, the study area was identified and analyzed, defined by statistical criteria, consisting of the municipalities of Tupanciretã, São Gabriel, Júlio de Castilhos, Cachoeira do Sul and Dom Pedrito. Supported by a wide range of bibliographical references, a contemporary contextualisation was made of Brazil's insertion into the International Division of Labour and neoliberal globalisation. There was an accentuation of three phenomena – deindustrialization, denationalization and Brazilian reprimarization, which will influence the scenario in which soybean farming has been consolidating in the transgenic model, which accounts for 96% of the produced area. The expansion of soybean farming in the country is based on a model that combines the biotechnology of transgenic seeds, which requires significant use of fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural mechanization, on large rural properties, mainly focused on exports, with the leading role of large transnational companies. The Brazilian State is decisive in the process, by subsidizing the model that hegemonizes and homogenizes the agrarian space, which favors national and foreign oligopolization of the production chain. In addition to rural credit, the State also substantially relieves the segment with various policies and incentives, which generates a loss of tax revenue for federated entities. However, transgenic soybean farming does not actually reflect the promises that its defenders make. With the forged pacts that benefit it, worrying impacts are generated in space, such as the worsening of land concentration, technological dependence, social and food vulnerability and environmental degradation. In the main soybean-growing municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul, the loss of taxes impacts the capacity of the state and city halls to meet the basic needs of their populations. Land concentration has escalated, especially in food production areas and the Pampa biome, which lost 29% of its domain between 1985 and 2021. With social vulnerability aggravated in the territories, diaspora occurs, which is not observed in other municipalities analyzed, with a different economic priority. The growing use of agrochemicals is contaminating water distribution networks in these areas, as well as poisoning important rivers and other crops in the region. This broad and diverse analysis provokes reflection on the effectiveness of the hegemonic model as a path to sustainable development. It presents the socioeconomic fragility of the pillars that support it in the face of the enormous benefits that drive it. In addition to blocking the possibilities of other paradigms for taking advantage of Brazil's immense agricultural potential.