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Potential for Agricultural Expansion in Degraded Pasture Lands in Brazil Based on Geospatial Databases

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  • Édson Luis Bolfe

    (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Agricultura Digital), Campinas 13083-886, Brazil
    Institute of Geosciences, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas 13083-855, Brazil)

  • Daniel de Castro Victoria

    (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Agricultura Digital), Campinas 13083-886, Brazil)

  • Edson Eyji Sano

    (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados), Planaltina 73301-970, Brazil)

  • Gustavo Bayma

    (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Meio Ambiente), Jaguariúna 13820-000, Brazil)

  • Silvia Maria Fonseca Silveira Massruhá

    (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Sede), Brasília 70770-901, Brazil)

  • Aryeverton Fortes de Oliveira

    (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Agricultura Digital), Campinas 13083-886, Brazil)

Abstract

Important public and private initiatives to map agricultural lands and natural resources have been carried out in Brazil to support land use planning. Some studies indicate that Brazil still has up to 109.7 million hectares of cultivated pastures with some level of degradation, representing around 60% of the total pasturelands, estimated at 177 million hectares. This study aimed to gather, process, and analyze publicly available databases to generate quantitative and spatial information about the potential of Brazilian degraded pastures for agricultural expansion. We considered data related to the natural agricultural potential, restrictions imposed by special areas (indigenous lands and Afro-Brazilian “quilombola” settlements), areas with high biodiversity conservation priorities, infrastructure such as distance between major highways and availability of warehouses, current agricultural areas, and the information made available by Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning. The results indicated the existence of approximately 28 million hectares of planted pastures with intermediate and severe levels of degradation that show high potential for agricultural crops. These areas could increase the planted areas with grains in Brazil by approximately 35% in relation to the total area used in the 2022/23 crop season.

Suggested Citation

  • Édson Luis Bolfe & Daniel de Castro Victoria & Edson Eyji Sano & Gustavo Bayma & Silvia Maria Fonseca Silveira Massruhá & Aryeverton Fortes de Oliveira, 2024. "Potential for Agricultural Expansion in Degraded Pasture Lands in Brazil Based on Geospatial Databases," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:2:p:200-:d:1334741
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lindsey L. Sloat & James S. Gerber & Leah H. Samberg & William K. Smith & Mario Herrero & Laerte G. Ferreira & Cécile M. Godde & Paul C. West, 2018. "Increasing importance of precipitation variability on global livestock grazing lands," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(3), pages 214-218, March.
    2. Luana Molossi & Aaron Kinyu Hoshide & Daniel Carneiro de Abreu & Ronaldo Alves de Oliveira, 2023. "Agricultural Support and Public Policies Improving Sustainability in Brazil’s Beef Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Edson Eyji Sano & Édson Luis Bolfe & Taya Cristo Parreiras & Giovana Maranhão Bettiol & Luiz Eduardo Vicente & Ieda Del′Arco Sanches & Daniel de Castro Victoria, 2023. "Estimating Double Cropping Plantations in the Brazilian Cerrado through PlanetScope Monthly Mosaics," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, February.
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