dc.description.abstract | The first discussion was about the political and economic environment in the region and in the world. The second, about a logical proposition that agriculture should no longer be seen as a primary sector, but rather viewed and managed as a broader system, i.e., as an agroindustrial agricultural complex. The view that the modernization of agriculture must be seen as a major component of any development model aimed at economic recovery is also discussed, and food needs and foreign market opportunities, intensified modernization in key agricultural sectors for which there is a potential and a need. Thus, domestic and international food markets play a major role as discussed in section 5. Section 6, refers to the factors that contribute to the modernization process, with special reference to technology, management and organization. Then, it is discussed some of the more important aspects in the search for equity, such as issues pertaining to the generation of economic activity, labor and manpower training, nutrition and the improvement of product quality, and the transfer of know-how on ways of achieving modernization. In the last section, it is explained that there are major challenges for public policy beyond the traditional realm of agricultural policies, and as conclusions, offers some reflection on the challenges with these ideas pose to professionals in the fields of agriculture and economics. | es |