Suriname will not be saved by soybeans (commentary)
Suriname faces potential environmental and social risks from expanding soybean and cattle production, as warned by an ethnobotanist. Large-scale agribusiness has historically led to deforestation, pollution, and limited local economic benefits in other tropical regions. Instead, the article suggests focusing on strengthening local food security, protecting natural resources, and supporting existing industries that sustain more people. This approach could better serve Suriname’s long-term well-being and environmental health.
Suriname is being urged to avoid expanding soybean farming, as it has led to environmental harm and uneven economic benefits in other regions.
The push for soybean farming risks damaging Suriname’s rivers, forests, and local food systems, while creating few long-term jobs for residents.
This story highlights the importance of protecting local communities and ecosystems over short-term economic promises, offering a constructive path for sustainable development.
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