Brazilian States Prioritize Agriculture Over Science, Undermining Innovation
A recent budget analysis shows Brazilian states vastly favor agriculture over science funding, risking economic modernization and technological progress.
- • Nine Brazilian states allocate an average of only 0.43% of their budgets to science and technology in 2026.
- • Rondônia spends R$ 430 million on agriculture versus R$ 23 million on science, an 18:1 ratio.
- • São Paulo's research budget share declined from 1.06% in 2007 to 0.82% in 2026 despite large total investment.
- • Agricultural productivity rose 44.5% from 2007 to 2024, while industrial productivity fell 2.7%.
- • Underfunding science contributes to economic inequality and increased informal employment in services.
Key details
An analysis of state budgets in nine Brazilian states for 2026 reveals a stark prioritization of agriculture funding at the expense of science and technology investments. On average, only 0.43% of the budgets are earmarked for research, highlighting a significant underfunding of innovation sectors amid expanding agricultural productivity.
For example, Rondônia allocates roughly R$ 430 million to agriculture while directing just R$ 23 million to science and technology, an 18:1 ratio. Similarly, São Paulo, despite investing R$ 3.3 billion in research, has reduced its relative share from 1.06% in 2007 to 0.82% in 2026. The science funding across states varies considerably, with Rio Grande do Norte confining it to a mere 0.09%, whereas Paraná reaches 1.19%.
Between 2007 and 2024, agricultural productivity surged by 44.5%, while industrial productivity declined by 2.7%. This increase in agriculture has not translated into broader economic modernization, as industrial sectors suffer and informal employment in services grows.
Experts highlight this imbalance underscores Brazil’s structural economic inequality, where a modernized agricultural core exists amid less productive industries. The insufficient investment in science and technology impedes technological diffusion needed to boost industrial growth and formalize low-productivity jobs.
This budgetary trend calls for addressing state-level investment strategies to better support innovation and foster a more balanced and competitive economy in Brazil.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
