OVERVIEW
The Jubilación Segura project was established in 2010 in San Martín, Peru, to support small-holder cocoa farming communities in implementing cocoa agroforestry systems and reforesting degraded landscapes. This land was initially deforested and degraded due to agricultural expansion and illicit cocoa production since the 1960s.
This project complements our neighbouring 300,000 ha REDD+ forest conservation project, which seeks to address the livelihoods needs of local communities promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation. It seeks to regenerate degraded soils, address drought and flood potential and promote habitat in this global biodiversity hotspot.
KEY INTERVENTIONS
Through the planting of native timber species with small-holder farmers in and around cocoa and coffee plantations, this project reduces erosion in parcels exposed to landslides protecting uphill areas that generate natural springs and torrents, which improves water quality and quantity. We engage farmers in choosing a more diverse set of tree species beyond timber species. Implementing additional incentives in our contracts with the cooperatives and the farmers to reach an optimal level of diversification.
“A significant achievement is that before when we started the project, the farmers did not want to plant the seedlings. Now producers are coming to the project because they want to plant trees” – Anna Jimenez Salinas | Technician Acopagro
Regular training is implemented to reinforce technical knowledge and empower farmers. Through a voluntary and participatory approach, the project promotes farmers to learn more about sustainable agricultural practices such as agroforestry while protecting the environment (soil, water, natural forest).
A Sustainable Forest Management strategy is under development to integrate high-value timber activities to support farmers in diversifying their sources of income. Implementation, certification and support for carbon monitoring (VCS), land tilting and planting registration with Autoridad Regional Ambiental (ARA); supports farmers in growing and evaluating fruit trees to enhance food security.
“These lands didn’t produce anything when I bought them. I am salvaging these damaged lands by planting trees” – Leonor Perz Mondragon | Coffee and Honey Producer
LONG TERM ACTIVITIES
“Since 2019, we implemented beehives for native bees (meliponas) with farmers to support revenue diversifcation. This activity has postive economical benefits for the farmers but also supports local biodiversity” – Roldan Rojas Paredas | Fundavi
Long term activities have been implemented, like capacity building on forestry management such as pruning, access to land tenure and a sustainable forestry plan to illegalize the commercialization of timber products and facilitation of market access, as well as traditional beekeeping. Technicians supported and designed the making of over 50 beehives that host native stingless bees “ramichis”.
“Jubilacion Segura is the first project which envisions the heritage conservation over the long term. It shows as well that farms can be diversified with other crops and activities” – Matteo Bermudez | Project Coordinator, PUR