The ongoing expansion of soya production in developing countries is giving rise to international concern regarding the management of natural resources. Research carried out by Wageningen UR, focusing on the situation in Brazil, describes and analyses the complex dynamics of land use of which soya production forms part. The research also looks at the current activities of chain parties, civil-society organisations and governments aiming to reinforce sustainable cultivation.
The United States, Brazil and Argentina are by far the most important producing and exporting countries for soya beans, soya meal and soya oil. Projections indicate that the demand for soya products will increase further in China and other Asian/Southeast Asian countries where continued economic growth is expected for the coming 10 to 15 years. As a consequence of this, the area of land used for soya production will increase considerable, particularly in Brazil and Argentina, possibly by 8 million and 5 million hectares respectively. The pressure on ecologically sensitive areas is therefore increasing. On the other hand, in Brazil in particular there are opportunities for making more intensive use of existing agricultural land.
How sustainable is soya production?
The sustainability of soya cultivation is assessed on the basis of the situation in Brazil, according to the criteria of the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS), the international discussion platform where chain parties and civil-society organisations try to determine the principles and criteria for sustainable soya cultivation. Starting points include compliance with laws, conditions of employment, attention for the local population, environmentally responsible behaviour, minimising losses of biodiversity, and guidelines for good cultivation practices. Criteria relating to the genetic modification of soya have not been included in the list.
Land ownership rights
Unclear land ownership rights are a source of conflict in large parts of Brazil, particularly where usage rights of ‘public land’ are concerned, or in other words land that has been used by native inhabitants for decades. The Brazilian government has been working on improvements to the land registry system for many years, but that process is still far from complete, resulting in millions of hectares in the Amazon region being occupied and used illegally.
Soya cultivation and deforestation: a complex relationship
Soya cultivation takes place on soil where forests used to stand. The cutting down of trees results in areas of open land that are used as extensive grassland for cattle farming. In time, the cattle farming makes way for arable farming, often dry rice cultivation, followed by other crops including soya. This whole process lasts around five years or more, which also gives rise to contrasting points of view regarding the direct involvement of soya producers in deforestation. Some point to a strong correlation between deforestation and the expansion of soya cultivation, while others reject these arguments, pointing to the earlier development phases of the region. The conclusion therefore cannot be drawn that soya cultivation causes deforestation, but it does seem to be one of the driving forces.
Labour
Working conditions (child labour, slavery, payment) are an important aspect in the assessment of sustainable soya cultivation. Soya growers themselves say that they comply with local legislation, but others hold soya cultivation responsible for the sometimes extremely poor working conditions in tree felling and the removal of tree stumps and other irregularities in the ground. In Brazil, there is legislation in place to improve working conditions, and the parties involved in the soya chain have also committed to adhering to this legislation.
Biodiversity
Deforestation, accompanied by a loss of biodiversity, arises from various interlinked factors, from the demand for wood to the future price of soya. The loss of biodiversity cannot therefore simply be attributed to the expansion of soya cultivation. The influence of soya cultivation on deforestation and loss of biodiversity will increase in future unless adequate measures are taken resulting in soya cultivation not expanding any further in ecologically sensitive areas.
Integrated production offers opportunities
The cultivation of soya as a monoculture can reduce the fertility of the soil after a number of years. In addition, extensive cattle farming takes up a great deal of land. An ecologically promising way of resolving these problems is the introduction of nitrogen-based artificial fertilizer for a non-soya crop in a crop rotation system (without ploughing). However, this cultivation technique is not yet in widespread use due to a lack of economic incentives. This could change on a large scale if the non-soya crop – such as maize – were to be used as cattle feed for the benefit of meat production. An integrated production system could thus be created comprising soya, feed grain, grass and meat. The result is that the productivity of the cattle farming increases, and the opportunity arises to close the nutrient cycle. If these opportunities are extended through investments in increasing the productivity of the grasslands (through the application of lime and phosphorus), the pressure on forested and savannah areas will be lowered. Economic incentives to this end will need to come from a growing demand for meat on the domestic market and/or improved access to markets in developed countries. Economic growth and the abolition of trade-restricting measures are thus important preconditions. Naturally, strong control will be needed to actually achieve this kind of integrated production system.
What can the Dutch government do?
The formulation and enforcement of social and environmental legislation is in the first place the responsibility of the governments in the cultivation regions. The Dutch government can offer support in this by making financial means, knowledge and expertise available in the implementation of and compliance with labour laws and measures relating to spatial planning. Moreover, the Dutch government can play a role in stimulating debate on the issue of soya at international level by creating the desired conditions to make the development of integrated systems possible in Latin America. Initiatives by Dutch industry and civil-society organisations also deserve continued support.
Report Towards sustainable soy; An assessment of opportunities and risks for soybean production based on a case study Brazil