Evolution of Agricultural Production in Portugal during 1850–2018: A Geographical and Historical Perspective

Agricultural statistical data enable the detection and interpretation of development agriculture food supply situation over time, which is essential for security evaluation in any country. Based on historical agricultural statistics, this study produces a long spatial time-series with annual production values three cereals relevant to global security—wheat, maize, rice, aiming provide geographical perspectives. Therefore, we reconstructed past current patterns trends at district level 169 years, supported space–time cross-reading general characteristics regional value distributions relative densities Portugal. Particularly, wheat, rice showed different situations: growth (maize), stability (rice), decline (wheat). For decades, maize wheat alternated, depending years political aspects, such as Wheat Campaign (1929–1938). The changes time presented pattern that, case these cereals, enabled clear division country into major regions according cereal production. Overall, both grown irrigated croplands, similar some Portugal, mainly central region. In study, preliminary analysis was related successive public policies; however, notably, there are more lessons be learned from time-series.