Soy Farmers and Deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado

The research examines soy farmers in the Matopiba region of Brazil, finding that land-use decisions are driven by economic rationale and a sense of entitlement to clear land. The authors argue that voluntary behavioral changes are unlikely to succeed and that strict regulatory enforcement and supply-chain requirements for conversion-free soy are necessary to prevent the total loss of the Cerrado.

• Soy farmers in the Matopiba region operate based on an economic rationale that prioritizes profit over environmental sustainability, often clearing vegetation directly for soy planting or engaging in pre-emptive deforestation to avoid future regulations.
• Voluntary conservation strategies, such as the adoption of 'best practices' or focusing on yield improvement in existing areas, are likely ineffective because farmers feel entitled to open new areas when economically motivated.
• The most promising pathways to protect the Cerrado are increased regulatory stringency, the legal restriction of deforestation rights, and stricter supply-chain demands for conversion-free soy.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2022). Soy Farmers and Deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado. https://www.sei.org/publications/soy-farmers-deforestation-in-brazils-cerrado/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Soy Farmers and Deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado. 2022. https://www.sei.org/publications/soy-farmers-deforestation-in-brazils-cerrado/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Soy Farmers and Deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado |date=23 December 2022 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/soy-farmers-deforestation-in-brazils-cerrado/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2022soy, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Soy Farmers and Deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2022}, month = dec, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/soy-farmers-deforestation-in-brazils-cerrado/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }