Cultural deforestation in Brazil

Definition and viable practices for the containment of its damage on a large scale

The debate about the so-called “cultural deforestation” has recently been raised. However, little has been said about what this means. After all, speech understanding has several aspects according to the baggage and socio-political affinity of each reader / listener.

In fact, so-called slash-and-burn agriculture is a practice that has existed for thousands of years. The technique is done by cutting and burning trees and plants in forests to create open fields. They typically occur without the aid of specific technology or tools, occurring as part of changing farming and for raising livestock.

However, this practice does not qualify as sustainable. Although some studies indicate that when practiced under low population density, it can promote local biodiversity and the subsistence of less favored rural populations. Slash and burn agriculture also, in the face of political and academic debate, contributes to the effects of deforestation, environmental and socioeconomic impacts.

This is because, without trees and plants, the quality of the soil becomes fragile. And so, agricultural producers must repeat the process on virgin soil. In other words, the consequence of changes in land use due to the intensification of this agricultural practice and the demographic increase undermine the sustainability of this traditional agricultural system.

The verification of the negative impacts of the cutting and burning practice shows the need to promote viable alternatives for agricultural production in degraded areas. Many alternatives are available with characteristics for agroecological transition and their adoption would also be beneficial, due to the implementation of socioeconomic valorization strategies.

Among them, Fruits of the Amazon proposes reforestation by fruit trees. This choice aims at revitalizing degraded soils and maintaining deforested areas. In this way, it is possible, and feasible, to manage the effects of global warming, to develop the local population and to reduce the damage resulting from cultural deforestation by slash and burn.

Written and edited by: Leonardo Sevilhano