VOICED: Brazil's rural workers camp out for land

In the Amazonian city of Merhaba, landless farmers have organized a protest camp demanding farm plots and better transport routes. They face challenges due to a lack of infrastructure and credit. In Brazil, a small percentage of the population controls a large portion of arable land, often through speculation. The landless workers, known as the Centerra, have initiated guerilla-style land reforms by establishing squatter camps on large landholdings, pushing for government recognition and redistribution. Their demands include land, housing, education, and healthcare, as they strive for a better future.

What are the primary demands of the landless farmers in Merhaba?

• Higher crop prices

• Government-granted farm plots and better transport routes

• More agricultural machinery

• Subsidized seeds

What percentage of Brazil's population controls almost half of the arable land?

• 10%

• 25%

• 1%

• 50%

What is the main goal of the Centerra movement?

• To increase crop production

• To gain property ownership

• To improve export opportunities

• To reduce taxes on farmers

How do the Centerra attempt to force the government to legalize their claims?

• By setting up squatter camps on large landholdings

• By appealing to international organizations

• By organizing peaceful protests

• By negotiating with landowners

What additional rights do the Centerra demand besides land ownership?

• The right to housing, schooling, and healthcare

• The right to import goods

• The right to form unions

• The right to free trade