Brazilian plantation system

The Brazilian plantation system was an extensive agricultural method centered on large-scale farms producing commodities like coffee, sugar, and cotton. These plantations relied heavily on enslaved Africans and later immigrant labor to cultivate and harvest crops efficiently. Typically situated in favorable regions, plantations operated as self-sufficient units with extensive land, infrastructure, and labor management. This system promoted monoculture (growing one crop) for export, fueling Brazil’s economy but also contributing to social inequality and environmental changes. Overall, it was a structured and capital-intensive approach that shaped Brazil’s agricultural and social landscape for centuries.