Religion and Adaptation to Climatic Variability in Agricultural Frontiers: Mennonite Farming in El Chaco, Paraguay

Abstract

Climate variability in agricultural frontiers such as the subtropical zone of South America has required complex forms of human adaptation. Beginning in the 1920s, Mennonite farming in the El Chaco region of Paraguay, organized under strong communal principles rooted in religious values, has developed a food production system based on meat and dairy products that contributes significantly to Paraguayan economy but that is always subject to the vagaries of climate. This article first analyzes climate data for the period 1950 through 2016 to identify potential increases in variability in temperature and precipitation trends. Second, the article examines adaptation practices to climate variability and perceptions of climate change in the region by a variety of informants, above all Mennonite cooperatives. Although Mennonites remain skeptical about climate change of human origin, they are nonetheless implementing conservationist practices in farming that suit well the precepts of adaptation. For other collectives, though, the socioenvironmental degradation of El Chaco, for which the Mennonites are held at least in part responsible, damaging ecosystems and indigenous populations at the same time, could threaten future adaptation practices.