The environmental dimension in agricultural development in Latin America

The general propositions on the relation between development and environment which are formulated in other articles appearing in the present issue of the Review acquire particular relevance in the light of trends in the Latin American agricultural sector over the last few decades. The peculiar dynamics of the style prevailing in the sector, which is conditioned by and at the same time influences the global development pattern, has produced effects on the environment among which the most outstanding are over-utilization of the soil and its consequent deterioration, and loss of resources, particularly on account of the rapid rate of deforestation.