Bolivian farmers face a difficult choice between continuing harmful slash-and-burn methods to clear land or planting trees to mitigate drought conditions. Last year, devastating wildfires burned vast areas of forest, driven by climate change and traditional agricultural practices. Local efforts are underway to plant trees through innovative techniques as a response to the ecological crisis.

In Bolivia, farmers are at a crossroads between continuing slash-and-burn agricultural practices or embracing reforestation efforts to combat severe drought and environmental degradation. The severe wildfires of the previous year devastated approximately 10.7 million hectares of dry tropical forest, which is equivalent to the size of Portugal, according to the Bolivian Institute for Forest Research (IBIF). The fires were exacerbated by climate change, leading to dire consequences for farmers and the environment alike.

The situation in Bolivia underscores the pressing need for sustainable agricultural practices to address environmental challenges and food insecurity. The increasing instances of forest fires and the resulting loss of crops highlight the fragility of the farmers’ reliance on traditional methods. There is a critical urgency for interventions that not only provide resources for farming but also promote ecological health and reforestation initiatives.

Original Source: www.france24.com