Convergence and Contrasts in the Adoption of Cattle Ranching: Comparisons of Smallholder Agriculturalists and Forest Extractivists in the Amazon

The Amazon ranching sector is expanding due to powerful political economic forces, which has led diverse social groups to adopt cattle. This paper draws on multi-temporal household survey data of smallholder agriculturalists and forest extractivists and presents a dynamic comparative analysis of their cattle ranching practices. The first part of the analysis confirms expanding pasture and herds. The second part of the analysis compares aspects of ranching practices, and shows differences in capitalization and sales. The factors promoting ranching affect different locations and groups differently, and bear implications for the future of ranching in the Amazon.