Roraima and Boa Vista - Economy

The most relevant economic product of Roraima is cattle, which are raised on the oriental portion of the state, where savannahs predominate (read about Geography of Roraima). Because the state is isolated from the rest of Brazil (even neighbour States of Amazonas and Pará are of difficult access), most of the production is directed to the markets of Venezuela and Guyanas.
Agriculture production is mostly for internal consumption; main products are rice, manioc, corn, banana and orange.
Until recently, most of electricity in Roraima came from thermal sources; in 2001, the plant of Guri Macaguá, in the border with Venezuela, started operation.

The economy of Roraima is directly connected to the situation of the indians. The forests of Roraima are home of several tribes, including the largest tribe in Brazil, the ianomamis; there have been debates about the ideal portion of land which should be destined to the indians, but it is fact today that more than half of the area of the State constitute indian reserves.
The indian reserves can not be economically explored by anyone (not even the indians themselves). Minerals have been found in the reserves, including gold and diamond. This has been causing conflicts between those who defend economic progress, at the cost of reducing the size of indian reserves (this group includes some authorities of the State of Roraima), and those who defend the rights of the indians.


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