| Organization | Asociación de Productores de Alimentos Nutricionales Andinos Mushuk Yuyay, APROSANAMY |
|---|
| Logo | |
|---|
| Team | |
|---|
| Country | Ecuador |
|---|
| Language | English |
|---|
| Keywords | forestry, plant species, eucalyptus |
|---|
| Status | |
|---|
| Membership | Member |
|---|
| Issue |
|
|---|
| Year | 2021 |
|---|
| Summary | In 1968, during the Ecuadorian Agrarian Reform, each community formed a cooperative to purchase and administer the land. The membership of this cooperative decided to plant trees on land that could not be used for crops. Eucalyptus were readily available and grew quickly. The project seemed successful. However, now, 50 years later, the ecological damage done by the trees is obvious. The soil is dry and poor, and the eucalyptus choke out biodiversity. The area is about 14 ha. and economically unproductive. The plan it to convert the land to native bushes, cacti, agave, and grasses for fix nitrogen, sequester carbon, conserve moisture. The area is important for collecting rain and fog for irrigation of nearby crops. The trees will be removed and native plants added, particularly agave and broom. Agave products have economic value. Broom have flowers that will support beekeeping. Water retention improves irrigation in times of chaotic rainfall patterns. Healthier soils will mean cleaner air to do our part to combat climate change. This work will be done gradually over 8 year while apiculture and agave are growing in importance. Native llama and alpaca will be pastured here as well. They contribute to soil health in a variety of ways. The site will serve an education center to help local farmers cultivate agave, begin beekeeping, and put other native bushes where they can help build soil and stop erosion. The measurement of soil organic carbon will be done at the outset and be repeated periodically. This local people will work together to make these changes now, but the benefits of the changes will be felt for generations to come. |
|---|
|
