environment 11 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Agriculture Fuels Massive Tropical Deforestation, Swedish Study Reveals
A new study from Sweden shows that tropical farmers growing maize, rice, and cassava cleared 122 million hectares of forest between 2001 and 2022, accounting for over 80% of global losses in the tropics. While farming requires land preparation like clearing vegetation, trees offer vital benefits that farmers should preserve. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/farming/farming-a-key-driver-of-deforestation-5420034
Farming demands cleared and prepared land, whether for crops, livestock, or fish ponds. For crop production, this involves seedbed preparation—cutting bushes and trees, then ploughing to ready the soil for planting seeds like sorghum or millet.
Crops such as maize and beans cannot thrive in dense bush or forest areas, pushing farmers to clear space. Yet, completely removing trees is unwise, as they play crucial roles in ecosystems and agriculture.
Trees drive rainfall formation, essential for every farmer. They supply firewood, construction timber, animal shelters, and fruits. Fallen leaves enrich soil as natural manure, serve as mulch against erosion, and some species fix nitrogen.
Tree roots stabilize soil, preventing wind and water erosion, while acting as boundary markers and windbreaks during storms. They also absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, sheltering wildlife and providing livestock fodder.
Despite these benefits, a Chalmers University of Technology study in Sweden highlights farming’s deforestation toll. Led by Chandrakant Singh and Martin Persson, it links tropical maize, rice, and cassava cultivation to the loss of 122 million hectares of forest from 2001 to 2022—over 80% in the tropics.
Researchers combined satellite land-use data with agricultural statistics for the most detailed global picture of deforestation drivers to date.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)