| Place of practice such as beef cattle ranching in Amazonia, for
example, by peasants in Equator and by large companies in Brazil. Cattle ranching is the
most important farming activity in Amazonia today.
A. Small-scale Ranching by Peasants
Advantages over
cash crops such as coffee and cocoa
- Beef prices are more stable.
- Poor transport is not a problem, as cattle can be driven
through the forest to a collection on the highway.
Disadvantages
- Single crop = grass replaces polyculture.
- The pastures are easily attacked by insect pests and diseases.
- The soil fertility declines rapidly.
- When infested by weeds, shrubs and small trees, the land is
abandoned.
B. Large-scale Ranching by International Companies
Disadvantages
- Large areas of forest are cleared and replaced by grass. e.g.
Cattle ranching accounted for over 70% of deforestation in Brazil.
- Tropical pastures have a short life cycle and are easily
attacked by insect pests and diseases.
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