Lula Plans February Meeting with MST to Boost Agrarian Reform Progress

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced his intention to meet with the leadership of the Landless Workers Movement (MST) in February, aiming to discuss the progress and future direction of Brazil's agrarian reform programs. This commitment was made during the closing ceremony of the 14th National Meeting of the MST held in Salvador, Bahia.

Since assuming office in 2023, Lula has prioritized agrarian reform as a key agenda, instructing the Minister of Agrarian Development and the presidency of INCRA to survey available lands, including those in disputes or suitable for expropriation. According to official data, the government distributed over 12,000 new lots last year, covering approximately 385,000 hectares across 24 states. These efforts have benefited families residing in 138 settlements under the Terra da Gente program, which aims to settle 295,000 families by the end of 2026.

Minister Paulo Teixeira highlighted that an additional 26,000 families are expected to be included in the agrarian reform program between February and March, signaling a substantial acceleration in land distribution. The year 2026 is anticipated to be significant for land expropriations under Lula's third term, reflecting his administration's dedication to expanding settlement policies. To date, approximately 230,000 families have been integrated into agrarian reform initiatives nationwide.

This meeting with MST leadership will serve as an important milestone for evaluating the implementation of reform policies and reinforcing Lula's administration's focus on agrarian justice and rural development.

As agrarian reform remains a defining feature of Lula's presidency, these steps underscore the government's commitment to ensuring land access and improving living conditions for rural families throughout Brazil.