The Landless Rural Workers’ Movement (MST) in Brazil intensified pressure for agrarian reform on March 13, following mobilizations in 24 states led by women. The protests are part of the Landless Women’s Day of Struggle, targeting unproductive lands, and denouncing agribusiness impacts. MST demands government action to fulfill agrarian reform promises, emphasizing women’s contributions in agriculture and ecological sustainability.
On Thursday, March 13, Brazil’s Landless Rural Workers’ Movement (MST) organized extensive actions led by women across 24 states, advocating for the urgent implementation of agrarian reform policies by the Lula administration. This mobilization was part of the Landless Women’s Day of Struggle, preceding the MST’s broader “Red April” campaign, which seeks significant reforms in land distribution and usage, particularly targeting unproductive land areas in Bahia and Ceará.
The protests were aimed at highlighting detrimental agribusiness practices, including pesticide overuse, land-grabbing, and violence against rural communities. MST voiced their concerns through a public letter, asserting a commitment to counteracting historical adversaries that undermine a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.
In the wake of the government’s announcement regarding the expropriation of seven farms to establish 138 new settlements, MST expressed that this measure, though a step forward, fell short of expectations based on President Lula’s prior commitments. The movement insists that it is imperative for over 65 landless families, currently enduring prolonged instability, to receive housing and land settlements.
MST’s primary campaign against agribusiness centers on the detrimental impact of eucalyptus and pine monocultures on local communities and ecosystems. Specifically, in Espírito Santo, around one thousand women occupied lands owned by Suzano, denouncing the expansion of eucalyptus plantations since the 1960s. Additional protests in Maranhão and Rio Grande do Sul underscored the urgent environmental violations attributed to these agribusiness practices.
In Bahia, approximately 300 families occupied lands deemed unproductive, while in Ceará, over 220 families demanded access to 2,000 hectares for settlement. There is a collective concern regarding state-sanctioned aerial pesticide spraying, which is set to commence at the end of 2024, posing serious health risks and environmental degradation.
MST mobilized around 800 women in Alagoas, occupying the federal agricultural reform office to resolve issues faced by rural women. Margarida da Silva of MST asserted the critical role women play in food production and their centrality in advocating for agrarian reform to bolster state and national development.
Demonstrations continued in São Paulo’s Legislative Assembly where MST and allied groups raised visibility on agrarian reform issues. Additionally, events in Mato Grosso emphasized denunciations of legislative actions that threaten environmental protections, including attempts to facilitate deforestation in environmentally sensitive regions.
Activities also extended to the Federal District, where women participated in tree planting and discussions aimed at promoting agrarian reform. Leidiane Evangelista of MST emphasized the necessity of recognizing women’s contributions to agriculture and championing agroecology as a holistic approach to food production and rural community living.
The actions carried out by the MST underscore a significant ongoing struggle in Brazil for agrarian reform and environmental preservation. The mobilizations highlight the pivotal role women play in advocating for social justice and ecological sustainability in agricultural practices. MST’s efforts not only challenge current agribusiness policies but also call on the government to fulfill promises made to the landless. The movement continues to push for immediate reforms and settlements to support families in need, highlighting the intersection of class struggle, environmental activism, and women’s rights.
Original Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
