In the 1990s, an estimated 94,000 square kilometers, which is roughly the size of Portugal, of forests would shrink annually. Majority of this land would go on to serve animal production needs such as growing crops and land for grazing.
The deforestation process begins as roads are cut through the forests. This opens it up for mining and logging. After this, either commercial or subsistence farmers come in and are allowed to grow crops. In many cases, forest soils lack nutrients and are too fragile for sustaining those crops. In just 2 or 3 years, the soil is ruined and no longer able to benefit the crops. The farmers then let the grass grow back and go find different land. After that, the ranchers move in to the land. It doesn’t cost much money to raise cattle on land which has already been used before and now has grass growing on it. After five to ten years, that rain forest land becomes overgrazed and has no nutrients anymore and therefore is ruined.
Cici's Capstone 