Pesticide use in Brazil in the era of agroindustrialization and globalization

This study examines the trend in pesticide use in Brazil in the 1990s in th e context of agroindustrialization and globalization (trade liberalization) . It also seeks to document the environmental costs and human health hazard associated with pesticide use in Brazil. Results from time series data ind icate that agricultural trade liberalization has led to increased pesticide use in Brazil, particularly in export crops. Results from cross-section mu nicipality-level data point to higher incidence of pesticide use in municip alities with high income, higher levels of education, large-size farms, pre dominance of export crops, and with high prevalence of sharecropping. Final ly, the study finds that Brazil's agricultural growth in the era of trade l iberalization has been clouded by serious human health problems and environ mental damage caused by pesticide use.