Much of Latin America has adopted European diets even though much of its land is not suitable for such crops. Slashing down an Amazonian rain forest can produce soy beans for while, it will be unsustainable. I don't have a good feel for Venezuela's geography, but I suspect that corn and (largely bred for Midwestern conditions) and wheat are not appropriate crops. As David mentioned, haciendas typically do not have much labor -- except perhaps during harvest or planting. Finally, the much vaunted US agricultural productivity depends heavily on fossil fuel, depleting the soil, and an intensive use of chemicals.
-- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu michaelperelman.wordpress.com
