Landless Workers’ Movement Amplifies Agrarian Reform Demands in Brazil
The Landless Rural Workers’ Movement (MST) has initiated extensive protests across Brazil, particularly led by women, to pressure the government for agrarian reform. Mobilizations in 24 states highlighted issues of environmental harm caused by agribusiness and demanded the settlement of displaced families. MST advocates for a broader understanding of agrarian reform that encompasses socio-economic and cultural transformations.
The Landless Rural Workers’ Movement (MST) in Brazil, particularly its women members, has intensified pressure on the government led by President Lula by orchestrating widespread occupations across 24 states. This mobilization is part of the Landless Women’s Day of Struggle, preceding large-scale actions demanding agrarian reform. The protests have seen landless families occupy unproductive areas in Bahia and Ceará, highlighting issues related to agribusiness impact such as pesticide use and violence against rural communities.
According to MST’s official communication, the movement’s focus is to expose the historical antagonists of agrarian reform and advocate for sustainable and equitable societal structures. Following the government’s recent expropriation announcement for settlement creation, MST activists regard the measures as inadequate, expressing demands for the immediate settlement of long-displaced families. The movement emphasizes that their vision for agrarian reform encompasses not only economic changes but also a cultural revolution aiming for social equity.
A core theme of the protests is directed towards large forestry companies, specifically targeting eucalyptus and pine monocultures, which are viewed as harmful to both the environment and local communities. In Espírito Santo, around one thousand women occupied lands owned by the Suzano pulp company, underscoring the ongoing environmental degradation attributed to monoculture practices. Similarly, in Maranhão, women obstructed major highways to protest against agribusiness expansions impacting rural livelihoods.
MST continues to advocate for land reforms through various methodologies, including occupations of lands that have remained economically dormant for extended periods. Actions have been documented in different regions, such as Chapada Diamantina and Limoeiro do Norte, where families demand land for settlement and decry environmental harm caused by agribusiness practices.
In Alagoas, around 800 women occupied the superintendence of Brazil’s Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra), seeking resolution of land issues affecting rural women. It was a collaborative effort involving multiple rural organizations focused on addressing agrarian reform and food production challenges. Protests have also occurred in São Paulo, reflecting the urgency for effective reform and the adverse legislative actions affecting environmental preservation.
Activities also unfolded in the Federal District, where MST organized events focusing on tree planting and discussions about women’s roles in agriculture throughout March. Leadership highlighted the necessity of acknowledging the contributions made by women in agri-food systems and promoting agroecological practices as a means for sustainable living and community organization.
The Landless Rural Workers’ Movement has showcased its commitment to agrarian reform through concerted actions by women across Brazil, highlighting critical issues such as environmental degradation and the need for immediate settlement of displaced families. Despite government efforts, the MST maintains that reforms are insufficient and insists on a comprehensive approach that includes social and cultural dimensions aimed at dismantling systemic oppression. Their efforts illustrate the intersection of gender, ecology, and social justice within Brazil’s complex agrarian landscape.
Original Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
