Resumen

RODRIGUEZ ROJAS, José E. Vías de desarrollo, cambio tecnológico y políticas estructurales en la agricultura moderna venezolana. CDC [online]. 2011, vol.28, n.76, pp.67-96. ISSN 1012-2508.

This paper aims to analyze the agricultural development paths implemented in the modern Venezuelan agriculture and the role of the technological change orientation and structural policies. Based on census data, a typology of farms and a set of indicators were elaborated to characterize the distribution of land and production according to farm size. From the 50s to the 90s, the tendency was towards a development path centered on medium-sized farmers, stimulated by the technological change bias and structural policies like agrarian reform and colonization. A new political agenda favored food security and property rights in behalf of medium-sized farmers. At present the actions implemented under the last land law can weaken the farmer path, bringing about a reduction of production capacity and employment.

Palabras clave : Agricultural production path; Agricultural technological change; Structural policies; Agrarian reform; Land tenure law.