Transitions among family-based agricultural contractors in Argentina: Labor, pluriactivity and rural development

Abstract

Labor outsourcing for different agricultural areas across the world has become particularly evident since the 80s alongside productive changes including higher levels of economic concentration, increasing productivity, and continuous incorporation of technological innovations, This paper aims to analyze a group of family-based agricultural contractors in the pampas region of Argentina identifying their main transformations, current economic conditions, and challenges in midst of the present agrarian development trends in the region. The possibilities for persistence by family-based contractors are linked to the persistence of small farmers; besides, contractors´ chances to scale-up rely on the association with another contractor of similar condition, at least partial incorporation of technological innovations, and developing pluriactive alternatives. The reciprocal ties established between family-based contractors and small size farms at the same time contribute to each one’s persistence and also promote local development both for urban and rural settings.