ABSTRACT
The history of agricultural development embodies a conflictive and ambiguous relationship with the environment. Amid intense environmental conflicts, Brazilian agriculture is undoubtedly becoming greener. However, progress is slow and actual changes localized. Competitive tropical agricultural production still relies on the intensive use of agrochemicals whose sustainability is greatly questioned. The chapter seeks to explore these conflictive and ambiguous relations between modern agriculture and the environment in Brazil. The modernization of Brazilian agriculture, which began in the 1950s with the diffusion of tractors and the use of fertilizers, was based on the package later embodied in the so-called Green Revolution: mechanization; intensive use of agrochemicals; genetic improvement; adoption of new management practices; monoculture; increase in production scale. An analysis of historical events highlights the important contribution agriculture has made to the development of Brazilian society and economy. However, with it has come a significant environmental and social cost marked by the challenge of global climate change.
