Date of Award

Summer 2025

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Department

History

First Advisor

Matt Childs

Abstract

This dissertation explores the transformation of Sorriso, a small municipality in Mato Grosso, Brazil, into one of the world's leading soybean producers, placing its local history within the broader context of global agricultural and economic shifts from 1980 to 2020. Sorriso represents the unique convergence of local, regional, and international forces that reshaped Brazil's agricultural landscape. This study critically examines the political, environmental, and social dynamics that positioned Sorriso at the forefront of soybean production, illuminating the town's transition from a remote frontier settlement to a global agribusiness hub.

Through a detailed analysis of previously unstudied archival sources, interviews with early settlers, government records, and the first comprehensive examination of the O Regional newspaper, this research reveals the pivotal moments, policies, and personalities contributing to Sorriso’s agricultural ascendancy. It explores the innovative environmental strategies employed by local farmers, the role of governmental incentives, and the impact of foreign investment in reshaping the town’s economic landscape. The study also considers the social repercussions of this rapid growth, highlighting how community identity, land use, and labor dynamics have been transformed in response to global demand.

By focusing on place-specific factors, such as Sorriso’s unique climate, land distribution policies, and the distinctive social fabric shaped by southern Brazilian migrants, this dissertation enhances the understanding of the catalysts for rural development. At the same time, it situates Sorriso within the context of global phenomena, including market integration, environmental pressures, and shifting trade relations, ultimately raising questions about the sustainability of this agricultural model. This approach deepens historical perspectives on Sorriso and offers insights into similar rural communities around the world confronting the challenges and opportunities associated with global market integration.

This work draws on interdisciplinary frameworks, incorporating local and social history, environmental studies, and economic geography to connect local histories with global narratives. It provides a significant case study to the discourse on sustainable rural development and the complex relationship between local agency and state-directed development in shaping the modern agricultural frontier.

Rights

© 2025, Nathalia Francio Cocenza

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