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Cattle ranching is a primary cause of deforestation in the Ama-
zon, accounting for up to 70 per cent of the forest loss (UNEP/
FAO/UNFF 2009). As outlined above, in most cases small-
scale farmers, moving in along logging roads to burn second-
ary or cleared forest for crop production, are gradually pushed
or bought-out from their land to provide new grazing land for
cattle ranching (UNEP/FAO/UNFF 2009; Barsimantov and
Navia 2012). There are many different methods to achieve this.
However, cattle ranching remains a primary cause of perma-
nent loss of forest as cleared forest does not return to its origi-
nal state. With many small-scale farmers at the frontline, it is
a major political challenge to try to stop impoverished farmers
from seeking new land to feed their families. There are also
political difficulties trying to counter the financial power and
influence of the cattle ranchers.
On November 18th, 2011, Guarani leader Nísio Gomes was as-
sassinated in front of fellow villagers. He was the leader of a
group of Guarani Indians, 60 of whom returned to their an-
cestral land in the southern state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
in early November, after being evicted by cattle ranchers. On
February 10th, 2012, Brazilian judges ruled that 170 Guarani
Indians could stay on the land currently occupied by a ranch.
CATTLE RANCHING AND SOY
PRODUCTION
#9
Nísio Gomes, a Guarani shaman shot dead by gunmen.
Cattle ranching is a primary
cause of deforestation in the
Amazon, accounting for up to
70 per cent of the forest loss.