Latin America

Judi Lynn

(162,547 posts)

3. Expansion of Mennonite farmland in Bolivia encroaches on Indigenous land

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Sun Oct 15, 2023, 05:45 PM

Oct 2023

by Iván Paredes Tamayo on 3 April 2023 | Translated by Matthew Rose

Mennonites first began settling in Bolivia in the 1950s, primarily in the department of Santa Cruz.

Today, Bolivia’s Mennonite population numbers around 150,000, most of whom are involved in mechanized, industrial agriculture.

As Mennonite colonies continue to expand, so too are their massive crop fields, which are putting pressure on Santa Cruz’s Indigenous Territories and other protected areas.

Life goes at its own pace in the town of Chihuahua, where the modern mixes with Mennonite traditions. To one side, horse-drawn carts pull up at a plot of land that stands in the middle of the plain. To the other, an almost-new car parks in front of a chalet-style house. Such is life on this Mennonite colony located in the eastern Bolivian municipality of Cuatro Cañadas.

The colony’s 280 families are considered rebels by other Mennonites, having drifted from the denomination’s strict way of life, which forbids the use of many forms of modern technology. The town’s streets are lined with heavy machinery; residents, many of whom have forgone the traditional Mennonite dress, walk around with mobile phones in their hands.

However, like those of other Mennonite communities in Latin America, Chihuahua’s Mennonite families are masters of agribusiness and soy cultivation — and are continually expanding their industrial farms.

An industrial crop field expands near Lomerío Indigenous Territory. Image by Edwin Caballero.

. . .

More:
https://news.mongabay.com/2023/04/expansion-of-mennonite-farmland-in-bolivia-encroaches-on-indigenous-land/

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Highlight:

Bolivia's Deforestation Crisis [View all] Judi Lynn Oct 2023 OP

What are Mennonites doing down there? Bayard Oct 2023 #1

Looks like they're making money hand over fist, that's what! Judi Lynn Oct 2023 #2

Expansion of Mennonite farmland in Bolivia encroaches on Indigenous land Judi Lynn Oct 2023 #3

That video is eye-opening and horrifying Bayard Oct 2023 #5

My dear friend, If you have offended them.... Duppers Oct 2023 #6

Oh, & I agree about Judi... Duppers Oct 2023 #7

K&R 2naSalit Oct 2023 #4