Jubilación Segura

SPECIFIC CONTEXT

San Martín region was heavily deforested in the 1980’s as Peru experienced a strong increase in illicit coca cultivation and many Amazonian regions were ruled by drug traffic.

As a consequence, soil productivity and ecosystem services have decreased in an area recognized as a hotspot of biodiversity. Local cooperatives were created in this context, to develop alternative cultures. The cooperatives gather families of small-scale fair-trade and organic cocoa and coffee farmers, who plant trees following forestry models, on degraded and unused lands, and also on cultivated plots where they develop agroforestry practices.

The project also develops tree planting in the Amazonas Region which has faced high deforestation due to the extension of cattle ranching.

OBJECTIVES

Half of the Lamas territory is still covered with primary rainforest. In order to preserve these forests and reduce the pressure on natural areas, the Oro Verde cooperative works to increase the production yields of coffee by training farmers on efficient agricultural techniques such as agroforestry. In 2009, the Oro Verde farmers supported by PUR Projet started a reforestation project on degraded and unused lands where they plant trees following forestry models, and also on cultivated plots where they develop agroforestry practices, in combination with coffee crops. These plantations both add value to agricultural lands and enable to preserve the environment.

“This soil didn’t produce anymore. When I bought it, it didn’t produce anything. These soils have been degraded and I am restoring them, merely with trees.” – Doña Léonor Perez Mondragon

BEEKEEPING

In 2012, the reforestation project has given rise to a new project in the cooperative, which is a beekeeping program. 15 hives have been set up and are run by 15 farmers of the cooperative.

“This project is important because honey bees will pollinate fruit trees and crops in the region.  It is also very complementary to the reforestation project as the planted trees are of great diversity, which is very useful to bees. 

This apiculture program is also important for farmers because it will allow them to diversify and spread their revenues over the year. Once the coffee production is completed, they can dedicate themselves to producing and selling honey.” – Teofilo Beingolea, agricultural engineer at Oro Verde cooperative