Does family farming produce 70% of the food consumed by Brazilians?

The definition of family farming is always a topic that generates debate (sometimes not very productive) among researchers and agents related to agricultural production. There is no consolidated consensus, but Brazilian law (Law No. 11.326/2006) defines family farming based on four main requirements. Farmers are considered family farmers when they (i) own a rural property with up to four tax modules, (ii) use predominantly family labor, (iii) have most of their income coming from activities on the property itself, and (iv) directly manage production, with family involvement in management. Because it is something rigidly defined by law, there are several questions regarding this definition in the country, especially regarding the issue of tax modules, which vary in size depending on the region of the country. In addition to small rural producers, the legislation also includes workers such as foresters, aquaculturists, extractivists, artisanal fishermen, indigenous peoples and traditional communities, as long as they meet these criteria. For more details on definitions, read: “What is family farming and what is its importance in Brazilian agriculture?”.

The importance of family farming in agricultural production and for the food security of Brazilian families is indisputable. In addition to the large quantity of products, family farming generates millions of jobs, contributing to the reduction of poverty and the economic development of these regions. According to the 2017 Agricultural Census, family farming encompasses approximately 67% of people employed in agricultural activities in the country, equivalent to 10,1 million people.

However, there are debates about the true extent of family farming's participation in food production in Brazil. There is a famous statement that "family farming produces 70% of the food consumed in Brazil", which is often questioned and generates an unproductive debate, fostering a "rivalry" in public opinion between production considered "commercial" and "family". The origin of this statement does not come from a specific published study, or from any serious research by a public or private body. The data dates back to July 2011, when Portal Brasil published the news item "Family farming produces 70% of the country's food, but still suffers in marketing". At the time, Laudemir Müller, then Secretary of Family Farming at the Ministry of Agrarian Development, pointed to family farming as responsible for 70% of food production, although it faced challenges in terms of marketing and organization. Since then, the statement has gained traction and popularity in the media, but it lacks a basis in concrete facts. This statement is often questioned in the scientific literature due to the lack of references and solid data to support the "70%" estimate.

By analyzing data from the 2006 and 2017 agricultural censuses (the most recent available), it is possible to have evidence of the representativeness of family farming in the share of food consumption by Brazilians. Although this sector plays a very important role in the production of various foods, only cassava and beef are predominantly produced by family farming, with a share of over 70% of national production. However, cassava consumption among Brazilians is limited, which makes it difficult to state that family farming is responsible for the majority of food consumed in the country. In addition, Brazilians' eating habits favor chicken as the main source of protein, to the detriment of beef, limiting the direct contribution of family farming to national food consumption. Of course, production does not directly reflect consumption – there are different destinations for products generated by agriculture that go beyond direct consumption by the Brazilian end consumer – but this is the first evidence that this data can be questioned.

Participation of family farming in national agricultural production (as a % of total production)

Source: prepared by Insper Agro Global based on data from the 2006 Agricultural Census and 2017 Agricultural Census

*Current rules for the 2017 Census

Furthermore, the figures from the Agricultural Census reflect total production, covering both the domestic market and exports, which requires caution when interpreting data on household food consumption. Another factor to consider is the declarative nature of the Census, in which the information is provided by the producers themselves without external verification, which may influence the accuracy of the data.

To assess the real participation of this sector, renowned researcher Rodolfo Hoffmann conducted a study based on Law No. 11.326/2006, assuming that all family farming production was destined for the domestic market (excluding exports, which often also originate from family farming). Using data from the 2006 Agricultural Census, adjusted for 2009 values, Professor Hoffmann's study compares the total family farming production, estimated at R$62,675 billion, with Brazilian families' spending on food, recorded in the 2009 Household Budget Survey (POF), which totaled R$292,6 billion. The results assessed in the study indicated that family farming contributes 21,4% of national food consumption, a percentage significantly lower than the widely reported value. For more details, read the original study. “Does family farming produce 70% of the food consumed in Brazil?” (Hoffmann, 2014).

 In addition to Hoffmann's study, other studies also question the estimate that family farming accounts for 70% of food consumption in Brazil. Kageyama, Bergamasco and Oliveira (2013), for example, estimated a share of approximately 50%, using data from the 2006 Agricultural Census and adopting a broader definition of family farming. Under this criterion, any establishment in which at least 50% of the workforce was made up of family members was considered family-owned, regardless of the area or source of income (i.e., broader than the legal definition and increasing the base of the number of establishments considered family-owned). The analysis showed that, although they represent 90% of rural establishments in Brazil and employ 80% of the employed agricultural population, family-owned establishments are responsible for 52% of the total value of production. For more details, read the full original study:  “A Typology of Agricultural Establishments in Brazil based on the 2006 Census” (KAGEYAMA; BERGAMASCO; OLIVEIRA, 2013).

Estimating the share of family farming in food consumption in Brazil faces methodological challenges due to the diversity of the sector and the limited availability of up-to-date and contemporary data. The 2017 Agricultural Census provides detailed information, but its outdated nature compromises the accuracy of the analyses. For more effective analyses, it is also necessary to complement census data with other sources, such as food consumption surveys and specific surveys. These approaches can provide a more accurate view of the contribution of family farming to the diet of the Brazilian population.

Although the studies by Hoffmann and Kageyama present more rigorous and clear methodologies, the data from these studies are less known or publicized than the 70% figure, which has a questionable origin.

Family farming is unquestionably important in food production and does not need incorrect or imprecise data to highlight its importance. The complexity of the topic requires serious research that incorporates correct, recent data and improved methods. Investing in this type of analysis is important not only to measure the extent to which family farming brings food to Brazilians' tables, but also to support effective public policies and qualify the debate on the topic, valuing food security and rural development.

Recommended readings:

BRAZILIAN ANIMAL PROTEIN ASSOCIATION (ABPA). Home. Accessed on: 22 Nov. 2024.

HOFFMANN, Rudolph. Does family farming produce 70% of the food consumed in Brazil? Food and Nutrition Security, Campinas, v. 21, n. 1, p. 417-421, 2014. Accessed on: 04 Oct. 2024.

KAGEYAMA, Angela Antonia; BERGAMASCO, Sonia Maria Pessoa Pereira; OLIVEIRA, Julieta Teresa Aier de. A typology of agricultural establishments in Brazil based on the 2006 Census. Journal of Rural Economics and Sociology, Piracicaba, v. 51, n. 1, p. 105-122, Jan./Mar. 2013.

RODRIGUES, Renata Muniz; SOUZA, Amanda de Moura; BEZERRA, Ilana Nogueira; PEREIRA, Rosangela Alves; YOKOO, Edna Massae; SICHIERI, Rosely. Evolution of the most consumed foods in Brazil between 2008-2009 and 2017-2018. Public Health Journal, v. 55, Suppl. 1, p. 4s, 2021. DOI: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2021055003406. Accessed on: Oct. 04, 2024.

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