Socioeconomic and environmental effects of agricultural expansion. Case study: Santiago del Estero, Argentina

Abstract

Socioeconomic and environmental effects of agricultural expansion. Case study: Santiago del Estero, Argentina.

The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of the agricultural expansion on ecosystems, socioeconomic activities and the quality of life of the
population  in  the  province  of  Santiago  del  Estero,  Argentina.  Information  on  the  development  and  evolution  of  agricultural  activities  in  the region was thoroughly collected. The northeast area of the province was particularly studied since it is one of the most affected ones by the agricultural expansion due to indiscriminate deforestation. Soybean is the main culture that has been expanded over other cultures, native
forest  and  livestock  production.  Monoculture  is  unsustainable  both  from  the  economic  and  the  ecological  point  of  view.  Non  sustainable exploitations  condition  the  socioeconomic  development  of  the  population,  leading  to  migration,  an  increase  in  sanitary  problems,  and  the deterioration of the quality of life of the population.