INDEXES OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT: COMPARING MUNICIPALITIES OF THE CUIABÁ RIVER VALLEY AND OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN THE STATE OF MATO GROSSO, BRAZIL: 2000 AND 2008

Abstract

It has recently been estimated that the economic basis of the municipalities of the Cuiabá River basin and that of the other municipalities of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, are on convergent tracks. They produce goods, such as soybean, cotton, corn and cattle, which underscore the state´s agricultural and cattle industry. In spite of the convergence, the economy of these municipalities is different from that of the other municipalities of the state. Employing the multi-variegated analysis method, contrasts in rural development between these two sets of municipalities are discussed. Results reveal that the economy of the municipalities of the Cuiabá River Valley, as a rule, presents decreasing rural development when compared to others municipalities of the state.