Bolivian Farmers at a Crossroads: Burn Land or Plant Trees?

Bolivian farmers face a critical choice following last year’s record wildfires: continue using fire to clear land for crops or plant trees to combat increasing drought. An alarming 10.7 million hectares of forest were lost in 2020, prompting urgent discussions on sustainable land management.

In the aftermath of the most devastating wildfires in Bolivia’s history, farmers are confronted with a significant decision: to persist in their practice of setting fires to clear land for agriculture or to invest in reforestation efforts aimed at alleviating the intensifying drought conditions. Approximately 10.7 million hectares (26.4 million acres) of dry tropical forest were destroyed by the wildfires in Bolivia’s eastern lowlands last year, as reported by the Bolivian Institute for Forest Research (IBIF). This loss equates to an area roughly the size of Portugal, highlighting the scale of the environmental crisis the farmers must grapple with.

The farmers in Bolivia are at a crossroads between short-term agricultural practices that contribute to environmental degradation and long-term sustainability through reforestation. The unprecedented wildfires have brought significant ecological concerns, compelling the community to reassess their methods in light of worsening climate issues. The choices they make now will have lasting impacts on their land and the broader ecosystem.

Original Source: www.northwestsignal.net