Meat destroys rainforests, but what will help the people?

I read posts, like this one on Treehugger, about how meat production is what's destroying the rainforest in South America, and I definitely believe it. And as a vegan, obviously I think it supports the case for reducing or eliminating your meat intake if you care about the environment.

What I don't get from reading this post is this: What are the local populations, who currently participate in the destruction of their own local environment to subsist, going to do to subsist if they stop?

I know that stores/sites like hip & zen support local populations by supporting local artisans. You can find everything from jewelry to handbags to tchotkes on hip & zen that have been fairly traded and provide alternate means of income.

But what will be enough to replace the massive industry that is factory farming and meat production?

It's troubling. And I think it's only fair that we address that, even as we address how destructive our meat habit is.