Lost Land, Recovered Land: Bolivia and the Path to Regeneration

Bolivia, ranked as the third country with the highest rates of deforestation worldwide for three consecutive years, faces a highly concerning environmental crisis. In 2022, forest losses reached a record 32%, with agricultural expansion being the main cause of this catastrophe. An alarming 41% of the deforested areas are concentrated in five municipalities in Santa Cruz: San Ignacio de Velasco, Charagua, Pailón, Concepción, and San José de Chiquitos.

In this short documentary, we explore the dance of numbers that reveals the magnitude of the problem. Agricultural and livestock expansion, especially soybean cultivation and livestock farming, stand out as fundamental factors, with Mennonites being prominent actors responsible for nearly 16% of soybean production in Bolivia.

However, in this dark panorama, a glimmer of hope emerges in Santa Cruz. The short documentary explores the potential to implement deforestation-free value chains in agriculture and livestock as a crucial alternative to achieve coexistence between production and the conservation of natural resources.

As we examine soil degradation caused by unsustainable practices, regenerative agriculture and livestock appear as the key to increasing productivity and restoring biodiversity. The call is clear: adopt appropriate practices to ensure a future where land, water, and pure air are not sacrificed for the sake of production.

Lost Land, Recovered Land: Bolivia and the Path to Regeneration is a journey that highlights the urgency of addressing the environmental crisis in Bolivia, showing that coexistence between production and conservation is possible, offering hope for a sustainable and environmentally respectful future.