Project problematic: The farmers in this mountainous and rural area traditionally used to burn down the forest to a) clear the field for planting and create fertile soil through the ashes, and b) in the (wrong) belief that the burning would provoke rain. This practice has several negative consequences: a) Soil erosion resulting in loss of water and mudslides b) Significant decrease in the quality of soil leading to the farmers' burning down even more forest in search of better soil c) Deforestation major cause of CO2 emissions. Unfortunately, burning forest is not limited to this region: we regularly witnessed this practice throughout Ecuador. Most mountains are bare, sometimes devoid of any vegetation.
Project solution: Working in close cooperation with the community, especially the small coffee farmers to introduce sustainable farming practices. This includes planting of trees by the farmers on their farms. The farmers explained the benefits of planting the trees: provides shade for the coffee which increases the quality of the coffee (and thus the price); improves the quality and stability of the soil (one farmer showed us the notable difference in the soil between where trees had been planted and where not); after the tree matures the wood can be used or sold. All this means increased income for the farmers and avoided deforestation.
Meeting the coffee farmers
During the 2 day visit we met with numerous representatives of the communities involved and learned so much. One of our most entertaining visits was to one of the coffee farming communities close to San Ignacio. After a bumpy ride up a dirt road, we arrive at a small village. We ask the farmers to show us their fields, and the trees they have planted. Three men, sitting on a bench in the center of the village, lead us to their fields. As we walk, word of the visitors gets round, and our group grows steadily, soon, there are more and more farmers joining the group walking to the fields. As we are in the field, the farmers show their enthusiasm for the project: each of them claims to have been the first one to plant trees. They all yell “arboles, arboles”, one even climbs on top of a tree. They pick ripe fruits (granadillas - similar to passion fruit) for us to eat, and lead us to the area with the biggest trees so far. After this lively excursion, they suggest that we have a quick leaving drink with them. So we sit down, and share a bottle of beer with one cup which is passed around from one person to the next...and then another bottle of beer, and another (and this before lunch). Finally, after the fifth round, we manage to get on our way, and promise to return when the trees have grown tall and strong. We get a huge pinapple as a going away gift.
For those interested in more details, visit http://www.practicalaction.org/ or watch this short video.
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