Introduction
Brazil is the second fifth largest country in the world geographically and in terms of population. In this view, Brazil epitomizes on the ongoing global tension pitying biodiversity preservation against sustainable agricultural practices and economic growth.
Brazil is a key emerging economic power, which has a GDP of US$6040 billion and a GDP per capita of US$326.21 billion in 2004 (European Commission, 2007). The country’s environment is one of the richest in the world because of not only the flora and fauna, but also because of its ecosystems, which contain an excess of 15 % of the plant and animal species known to botanists (Saxena, 2005).
The country is the source of water and also a water table of up to 12% of the available freshwater worldwide the Brazil is also undoubtedly one of the leading producers of food and biofuels in Latin America and globally (Ferreira et al., 2012).
To continue with this trend of leading in food production and water, the country should try to institute measures, which aim at reducing the negative effects of poor farming methods, while improving farming practices.
Therefore, this paper discusses how sustainable and productive agricultural practices can be used to promote economic development and conserve the environment, and thus prevent the occurrence of vicious cycle. The interdependent relationship between the environment, government and businesses lead to changes in economy and market.
Economic stability is largely linked to the governmental institutions, in connection with the society and public demands. Brazil’s environment involves an intricate cooperation between the government, society and nature. Many aspects depend on how the society views nature with the linkage to the government and how it is being treated in the economic setting.
One of the key aspects of any nation is to be able to interest the government, public or society in the products or services that are being offered to people and organizations.
Understanding the Vicious Cycle & the Brazilian Problem as a country
Ascher and Healy (1990) used this concept to demonstrate the complex interrelationships among four critical facets of socio-physical production, which are economic production, distribution of income, natural resources, and the environment.
Concerning the explanation of the relationship between economic development and environmental conservation, it is clear that economic production is the level, source, and composition of goods, and services generated by the economy at any point in time among the four facets of production.
The four facets of production include functional distribution, size distribution among recipients of different levels of income, distribution of in-kind income such as government services or gratifications from an environmental quality, as well as regional income distribution.
Available literature adds multiple citations to support this claim demonstrate that such facets of production have adverse impacts on biodiversity and the conservation of ecosystems in the country (Jain, 1998). Hence, policy makers should incorporate environmental conservation measures into agricultural development to enhance optimization of agricultural production.
The fact that Brazil’s urban regions are increasing and contributing more to the economy, gives the government a clear message that the intricate network must be stimulated in all possible ways. It is also significant to consider the interchange between the social functions, culture and the politics that are dominant and change from one region to another.
When looking at economics, there are few things to have in mind. Different cities and regions have unique and specific economies. The system of trade and relations between businesses are guided by the public, their beliefs and understanding of the government and the market. Some places have better economies with governments giving support and being one of the major clients.
Global approach would guarantee a lot of choice and possibilities for the businesses and the government. Since the pressures for local responsiveness are low, this will guarantee stable income and product or service flow for the community.
Whereas the global integration pressure is high, and decisions can be made with a slower pace and careful consideration of all options available. Because the relationship of “city-regions”, localities, urban areas, cities and provinces is so important, it would be crucial to adjust the policies and regulations to be somewhat universal, for an easier and more beneficial exchange.
In spite of the issue of vicious cycle, Brazil is on the verge of achieving long-term economic development because effective exploitation of natural resources.
According to European Commission (2007),“the dense tropical rainforest of the Amazon, the important biomes of the Savannah-like Cerrado, the arid scrublands of the Coating, the Pampas, and the wetlands of the Pantanal” are some of the natural resources endowed to Brazil (p. 11).
Given that agricultural exports comprise of about 28% of total exports, the government has prioritized agriculture as an important economic activity. However, as demonstrated by these authors, “there are rising concerns about the threats that these changes represent to Brazil’s significant biological wealth globally, including widespread deforestation and clearance of native vegetation, and rapid increases in the use of fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural chemical supplies” (Ferreira, et al.,2012, p. 536).
On this basis, poor agricultural practices have the capacity to ignite and cause complex vicious cycle, which will ultimately cut across two, or more attributes of sociophysical production.
In the Brazilian context, it is evident that attempts by the government and other stakeholders to enhance the country’s economic development through agricultural expansion have continued to generate a multiple environmental externalities.
Government should encourage farmers to employ environmental conservation practices such as reduction of biological diversity, prevention of soil erosion in rural farming areas, conservation of watershed and natural resources, and prevention of soil and habitat degradation. It should also be included in the process of implementing the environment conservation policies and good farming methods since they are the prime stakeholders in the field of agriculture (Clement, 2005).
Therefore, the country must introduce conservation measures and ensure their implementation by the farmers as well as other players in the agricultural industry.
Vladas (2008) argues that policymakers in Brazil realize that another vicious cycle between economic development and income distribution could occur in the near future as long as farmers in the North East regions of the country continue to use harmful farming practices. Brazil has a unique relationship between people’s culture, the governments and economy are crucial.
Every culture is unique in its set of customs and traditions. Something that is acceptable in one country will be seen as impolite in another. A slow and step by step approach must be taken with such cultures. Prior research will make the outcome more productive.
Thus, even the government should make sure that specifics of a region are known, so that proper procedures and policies are implemented. Also, the government should allow people to contribute to the economy and set up conditions beneficial for entrepreneurial activity. The government’s responsiveness greatly relates to a well established and supportive communication between society and the people, as a result benefiting the economy.
The way forward for environmental policymakers in Brazil, therefore is to put in place strong institutional policies for managing resources and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector.
Water (2008) argues that the government, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, must act promptly to break the vicious cycle between economic development and environmental degradation by coming up with educational and awareness programs targeting farmers who use poor farming methods to enhance their agricultural output.
Additionally, it is imperative for the government to develop clear management objectives and implementation existing policies effectively (Carneiro & Danton, 2011).
The employment of good and functional institutions and increase of awareness through educational campaigns among farmers is vital in the country’s quest to achieve increased economic development, attain enhanced agricultural output, and improve conservation of the environment. These measures are central to sustainability of productive agriculture and in prevention of the vicious cycle in agricultural sector.
An important role in sustaining and developing economy depends on the management decisions and the actions that are taken in relation to the spending and distribution of the finances and resources. Brazil’s government must enforce and promote strategies that are used in finding the most beneficial and cost-effective way of doing business. It is the most responsible, as well as an environmentally friendly decision.
It must be as efficient as possible, to gain the most financial resources. It encompasses the disposal of waste products, usage of new technologies and the general organization of the company or business matters. The constant development and bettering of products and services, will certainly lead to a positive outcome, so the policymakers should adjust to the changing market and economy, as well as the demands of the society.
It is very important because the success and future of the business depend on it. The decisions made in relation to the environmental factors, being in charge of monitoring the coordination, sustainability and strategic planning by the government, will ensure proper development of economy.
The social and environmental factors play a great role in the running of a business but more importantly a nation, as it will create a strong base for the growth of the market. The safety nets that rest on law and fair control will create stable and guaranteed soil for the economy. As previously discussed, industrialization has brought about a significant change to the lives of nations, individuals and the public.
Industrial globalization has led to all countries cooperating for mutual and own benefit, so new technologies have become a great part of any nation.
Even though the advantages of technology greatly outweigh the disadvantages, there are now, many more ways to abuse the information that can be instrumental to the success of nations. The laws that are being made and governments must carefully monitor the innovations that come into existence, as there are many people who will take advantage of the developed nations.
It is clear that as a result, governments and businesses are forming alliances, cooperating in the common fight against crime and moving towards prosperity and future possibilities. This will also have great consequences in solving the division between classes and strengthening certain regions of the nation.
The relationship between the government, how people view their country and environment is evident from all angles. Both politicians and people are beginning to understand that the only way to continue into the future is through cooperation and mutual respect and support.
The economy depends on individuals, matters they run, society and the government, so society must make sure that there are always laws and regulations that preserve and protect nature and people.
Conclusion
For the Brazil to achieve economic development, it has to embrace the policies of environmental conservation and implement them effectively. Since agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy, it essential to improve productivity in a sustainable manner to support the livelihoods of farmers in Brazil.
It is noteworthy that the success of these environmental conservation measures is highly dependent on the extent to which stakeholders encourage good farming practices. Owing to laxity in the implementation of conservation policies results in the continuation of harmful and destructive practices of farming that are detrimental to the sustainability of the environment, and thus resulting in vicious cycle.
References
Ascher. W., & Healy, R.G. (1990). Natural resource policymaking in developing countries: Environment, economic growth, and income distribution. Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press.
Carneiro, J., & Danton, T. (2011). Agriculture and biodiversity in the Brazilian social Sciences: A possible state of the art scenarioinnovation. The European Journal of Social Science, 24(3), 225-246.
Clement, A. (2005). The economics of a safe minimum standard of conservation. The American Journal of Agriculture, 60(24), 10-18.
European Commission (2007). Country strategy paper 2007-2013. Web.
Ferreira, J., Pardini, R., Metzger, J.P., Fonseca, C.R., Pompeu, P.S., Sparovek, G., & Louzada, J. (2012). Towards environmentally sustainable agriculture in Brazil: Challenges and opportunities for applied ecological research. Journal of Applied Ecology, 2(1), 1-23.
Jain, C. (1998). Agricultural Intensification by Smallholders in the Western Brazilian Amazon. Journal of Regional Science, 15(2), 55-60.
Saxena, D. (2005). Agricultural development in Uttah, The Geographer, 32(1), 20-28.
Vladas, G. (2008). Conservation of Environment. Journal of Environmental Physiology 23(1), 21-32
Walter, C. (2008). Overview of India’s Agricultural Economy. Asia Pacific Development Journal, 10(2), 15-20.