- Soybean production
- Consequences of pampeanization
- Cost of pampeanization
- Future of pampeanization
- References
The pampeanization of Argentina is the process by which some productions of the pampas sector are transferred to other productive sectors of Argentina. The term “pampeanización” comes from the word “pampas”, which are the extensive plains of South America that have no arboreal vegetation. Likewise, the pampas are ideal for agricultural cultivation.
The transfer of these productions is made to the “extra-Pampas” areas, that is, to other areas or regions of the country that do not belong to the Pampas. Pampeanization makes these regions adopt crops typical of the Pampean areas such as soybeans.
Soybean production
The production of soybeans or soybeans began in the 70s and was grown mainly in the pampa region. However, nowadays it is cultivated in extra-Pampa areas thanks to the pampeanization process.
Soybeans were and still are one of the main crops in the pampas regions. Livestock and wheat and corn crops were displaced by the production of this plant.
Not only did the expansion of soy cause livestock farming and other food crops to decline, it also caused many rural dwellers and indigenous communities to lose their own land as soy producers sought new land for cultivation.
Consequences of pampeanization
Although pampeanization has helped to strengthen agriculturalization and soy production in Argentina, this process has caused the loss of forests and natural forests in the extra-pampa regions.
Pampeanization destroys soils and removes forests, which take a long time to restore. The consequence of the elimination of these forests is the change in the water cycle, evaporation and the alteration of the soils.
Similarly, pampeanization reduces biodiversity, in other words, the variety of animals and vegetation in the area.
The lack of a correct policy to suspend deforestation for soybean cultivation in areas such as Las Yungas (mountain forests) or Monte Chaqueño (native forest of Argentina), leaves a loss of about 30 thousand hectares per year.
Cost of pampeanization
Pampeanization not only destroys forests and soils, but also makes soy production expensive.
The government helps producers in extra-Pampa areas so that they can take the plant to export ports and sell it at a higher price.
Pampeanization not only brings more economic problems but also makes the irrational expansion of soybeans become bigger and bigger.
Future of pampeanization
The advance of pampeanization continues to bring more deforestation and problems in native forests. Despite all this, the Argentine community has not sat down to discuss the consequences it brings to the environment.
The measures to control this process have to do with carrying out a territorial classification plan, rather, defining which areas are the most suitable for deforestation.
It should also be seen which areas are already occupied by the settlers and indigenous communities to prevent their properties from being invaded.
References
- Ayub., Carbognani M., María Inés., And Villagra, N. (sf). Pampa and extrapampa. Recovered from: sites.google.com
- Melina. (2011). Definition of Agriculturization, Pampeanization and Sojization. Recovered from: neetescuela.org
- Pengue, W. (2004) Agro-export production and (in) food security: The case of soybeans in Argentina. Ibero-American Journal of Ecological Economics Vol. 1: 46-55. Recovered from: ddd.uab.cat
- Pengue, W. (2004). The "pampeanization" of Argentina. Southern Cone Edition. Number 61, p. 10. Recovered from: insumisos.com
- Sputnik. (2017, April 13). Argentina is in an environmental emergency due to the extension of soybeans. Recovered from: elpais.cr
- Zajac, H. (2017). Argentina: Floods and wounds that do not close. Recovered from: biodiversityla.org.