Amsterdam, October 7th, 2025 – As the fertile lands of Rio Grande do Sul remain soaked in the aftermath of devastating floods, thousands of farmers—many of them responsible for Brazil’s agricultural backbone—continue to grapple with loss, uncertainty, and a slow path to recovery. Yet, in a move that has sparked both praise and outrage, First Lady Janja da Silva recently chose to spotlight a different narrative: the resilience of the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST), a landless workers’ movement often criticized for its controversial land occupations.
🧩 A Visit That Raises Eyebrows
Janja’s visit to the Cootap cooperative, affiliated with the MST, was framed as a celebration of resilience. The cooperative, composed of 120 families once labeled as land invaders, now produces 80 tons of organic food monthly and participates in the federal Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos (PAA). Her presence, alongside Agriculture Minister Ana Moser, was meant to highlight the success of agrarian reform and the role of family farming in food security.
But for many in Rio Grande do Sul, the timing and symbolism of the visit felt tone-deaf.
While the MST’s transformation story is compelling, traditional farmers—many of whom lost crops, livestock, and infrastructure in the floods—are still waiting for meaningful federal support. These are the producers who feed Brazil and export globally, yet their plight seems overshadowed by political gestures that favor ideological allies.
Critics argue that the government’s prioritization of MST-affiliated cooperatives over mainstream farmers sends a troubling message: that loyalty to political movements may matter more than economic recovery or agricultural stability.
⚖️ A Question of Priorities
The MST has long been a lightning rod in Brazilian politics. Supporters hail it as a force for social justice and land redistribution. Detractors see it as a threat to property rights and rural stability. Janja’s repeated visits to MST cooperatives—now in Rio Grande do Sul, previously in Recife, Araraquara, and Brasília—suggest a pattern of endorsement that goes beyond symbolic support.
Meanwhile, many farmers feel abandoned. They ask: where is the same level of attention for those who legally own and cultivate the land, who suffered catastrophic losses, and who are essential to Brazil’s food supply?
🗣️ The Debate Continues
Janja’s visit reignites a broader debate about the role of the federal government in balancing ideological commitments with pragmatic governance. Can Brazil afford to alienate its agricultural producers in favor of political symbolism? Or is there room for both reform and recovery—without sacrificing one for the other?
As the mud dries and the political dust settles, one thing is clear: Brazil’s future depends not just on who gets the spotlight, but on who gets the support when it matters most.
