This paper introduces a methodology to define types of farm specialization, taking into account the structure of incomes from agricultural activities. Using the data from a survey jointly conducted by the Getulio Vargas Foundation and Embrapa, which covered nine regions in Brazil, it was possible to allocate each farm into a unique specialization type and estimate a specialization index for each region. With this index, a specialization ordering among the regions was found. This is followed by some considerations on the number of agricultural activities and problems which may appear when regional mean values are used. Within a situation where high specialization levels prevail, important interregional differences are identified, which may contribute to the formulation of agricultural policies and research activities. In broader terms, it is believed that a similar methodology may be applied to the study of specialization in other situations (e.g., at the level of municipalities).
