Brazil Set to Reveal Strategy for Expanding Farmland by 60%

24 Nov, 2023

Brazil Set to Reveal Strategy for Expanding Farmland by 60%

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is set to reveal a groundbreaking plan at the upcoming COP28 climate summit held by the UN. The strategy aims to boost Brazil's agricultural lands by 60% while ensuring no contribution to deforestation, as confirmed by his government.

Brazil plans to repurpose degraded grazing areas into farmland, announced a week ahead of the climate summit scheduled to commence in Dubai on November 30.

Roberto Perosa, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted, "We identified nearly 160 million hectares (395 million acres) of grazing areas, with around 40 million hectares (99 million acres) found in degraded grazing zones, suitable for agricultural cultivation."

"With targeted investments in soil improvement, these areas can be transformed into arable land."

The government is committed to investing $120 billion over the next decade to expand the country's agricultural acreage, positioning Brazil as a global agricultural powerhouse.

This ambitious move aims to escalate Brazil's farmland from 65 million to 105 million hectares without resorting to tree felling, a significant concern in the Amazon region.

Perosa mentioned that ongoing private initiatives can convert approximately 1.5 million hectares of pastureland annually, a number the government intends to amplify with support from Brazilian financial institutions.

President Lula, known for his environmental advocacy and commitment to safeguarding the Amazon rainforest, has made sustainability a top priority. However, agriculture remains a vital pillar of the economy, wielding substantial political influence.

Under Lula's far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, deforestation in the Amazon notably surged, often attributed to farmers, miners, and cattle ranchers.

Lula has pledged to halt illegal deforestation by 2030, aligning with his administration's environmental objectives while propelling sustainable agricultural expansion.