Bolivian farmers are facing a dilemma between continuing slash-and-burn practices for agriculture and adopting tree-planting initiatives to address the severe drought caused by climate change. Recent fires devastated millions of hectares of forest, leading to food insecurity and prompting community efforts to reforest damaged lands. The need for sustainable farming methods has become increasingly urgent as the region grapples with ongoing environmental challenges.
Bolivian farmers are confronted with a challenging decision in the aftermath of the country’s most devastating wildfires: to continue clearing land through burning or to engage in tree planting efforts that may help mitigate the impacts of severe droughts. These wildfires, which destroyed approximately 10.7 million hectares of dry tropical forest, were exacerbated by prolonged drought conditions attributed to climate change.
The fires, although less publicized than those in neighboring Brazil, resulted in fatalities and significant carbon emissions. Local farmers, such as Julia Ortiz, who practice slash-and-burn agriculture, are aware of the risks, having previously faced uncontrolled blazes. Ortiz remarked, “It can happen to anybody. Most of us live off farming and we must do burns.”
The aftermath of last year’s fires has left residents, like Carmen Pena of Santa Ana de Velasco, grappling with food insecurity after losing vital crops. With crop failures leading to fears of starvation, some farmers continue the practice of land burning to cultivate new fields, even as initiatives for reforestation take place in the region. An IBIF report highlighted that a significant portion of the fire-affected land was previously forested, emphasizing the pressure to increase agricultural land.
David Cruz, a climate change expert, criticized governmental policies for facilitating deforestation by forgiving those responsible for wildfires and extending compliance deadlines for environmental regulations. Many farmers, who lack access to machinery for clearing land, have no sustainable alternatives. Ortiz remarked, “If we had tractors, we would not need to do burns.”
In response to water scarcity and with many men from the villages migrating for work, local women have initiated tree-planting efforts using a technique from Nepal. They prepare seed-filled spheres, dubbed “bombitas,” which will be distributed via drones to reforest deforested areas. With support from NGOs, this initiative aims to plant approximately 250,000 seed bombers.
Joaquin Sorioco, a local farming technician, emphasized the critical link between forest preservation and water retention, reflecting a shared understanding of the urgency of reforestation efforts. Mario Rivera, director of the Flades foundation, noted the importance of the fires as a turning point for raising awareness about the environmental consequences of land-clearing practices.
The Bolivian farmers are at a crossroads, balancing the urgent needs of agricultural productivity against the environmental implications of their practices. The devastating wildfires last year serve as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with slash-and-burn tactics, prompting discussions on sustainable alternatives such as reforestation. With local initiatives underway, there is hope for recovery and adaptation in the face of ongoing climate challenges.
Original Source: www.france24.com
