Evolution of Agricultural Production in Portugal during 1850–2018: A Geographical and Historical Perspective

Abstract

Agricultural statistical data enable the detection and interpretation of the development of agriculture and the food supply situation over time, which is essential for food security evaluation in any country. Based on the historical agricultural statistics, this study produces a long spatial time-series with annual production values of three cereals relevant to global food security—wheat, maize, and rice, aiming to provide geographical and historical perspectives. Therefore, we reconstructed past and current production patterns and trends at the district level over 169 years, which supported a space–time cross-reading of the general characteristics of the regional agricultural production value distributions and relative densities in Portugal. Particularly, the production trends of wheat, maize, and rice showed three different situations: growth (maize), stability (rice), and decline (wheat). For decades, maize and wheat production alternated, depending on agricultural years and political aspects, such as the Wheat Campaign (1929–1938). The changes over time presented a pattern that, in the case of these three cereals, enabled a clear division of the country into major regions according to cereal production. Overall, maize and rice, both grown on irrigated croplands, presented a similar pattern in some regions of Portugal, mainly the central region. In this study, a preliminary analysis was presented and related to successive public policies; however, notably, there are more lessons to be learned from this long spatial time-series.

Changes in the Structure of Crop Production in Slovakia after 2004 Using an Example of Selected Crops

“…According to Vanoppen et al [39], the growing interest of farmers in the environment is a key factor in climate change and the reduction in biodiversity in the agricultural country. Aligning agricultural production with environmental protection and biodiversity protection is one of humanity's greatest challenges and will only increase as global environmental changes accelerate and the growing human population requires more food [40][41][42][43].…”

The Spatiotemporal Links between Urban and Rural Regions through the Sale and Consumption of Agri-Food Products

“…In order to counter this trend, policies to attract the population and tourism have been promoted but have not been sufficient to promote territorial cohesion. This makes it necessary to rethink the capacity and the potential of rural territories [28] in terms of mobilizing their resources and, through them, promoting new and/or renewed relations with urban territories.…”

Introductory Chapter: Time Series Analysis

“…Description involves plotting observations over time to reveal patterns, while explanation explores relationships between variables. Prediction focuses on forecasting future values, and control utilizes time series to enhance control over physical or economic systems.Possible applications span from land use-cover [3,4] and agriculture changes [5,6], tourism [7,8], socioeconomic vulnerability [9], epidemiology [10], and health [11]. This chapter delves into advanced approaches for time series analysis.…”

“…Possible applications span from land use-cover [3,4] and agriculture changes [5,6], tourism [7,8], socioeconomic vulnerability [9], epidemiology [10], and health [11]. This chapter delves into advanced approaches for time series analysis.…”