Agrarian Reform and Racial Justice: Paths Toward Land Redistribution in Contemporary Brazil

Racial disparities are historically intertwined, discussing agrarian reform becomes not only a matter of land distribution but a necessary action of racial reparation. Brazil’s current economic model, centered on large-scale agribusiness and land concentration, perpetuates an old structure in which most rural territories are in the hands of a privileged minority—many of whom inherited this land through generations of wealth accumulation dating back to colonial and slaveholding times.

In this context, the inclusion of the Black population in land ownership and rural economic production becomes urgent. A reform policy could consider that a percentage of land, especially unproductive or underutilized rural properties belonging to the Union or large private estates—particularly inherited properties—be directed toward people of African descent. These lands could be sold at a significantly reduced price, with values deducted from taxes owed to the federal government. This measure would not be a gift, but a form of compensation and economic inclusion for a group historically excluded from access to land, credit, and territorial rights.

However, the success of such a policy requires more than just land transfer. It demands continuous and structured support from the State. Public institutions must ensure that these new landowners receive technical guidance, agricultural education, access to sustainable technologies, and financial literacy training—so that the land can become a productive, self-sustaining source of income and autonomy.

Moreover, to protect against exploitation and speculative practices, it must be strictly prohibited to sell or transfer these lands at prices below market value. Legal safeguards should be established to prevent opportunists from pressuring or manipulating vulnerable communities into relinquishing their land rights. The land must remain in the hands of its rightful beneficiaries, fostering long-term development and collective empowerment.

Beyond economic redistribution, this is an act of historical justice—offering land not merely as property, but as a transformative tool for autonomy, food security, and environmental sustainability. A policy designed to redistribute state and private land—especially those obtained through inheritance and left underutilized—to historically marginalized populations is a step toward fulfilling the constitutional promise of a more just and inclusive Brazil.