Cauca Y Nariño

OVERVIEW

The Cauca Y Nariño project was established in 2014 to support small-holder coffee farmers in addressing climate change while combating land erosion and extreme climatic events. Shade-grown coffee landscapes and watersheds located in the Colombian cordilleras regions face uncontrolled deforestation due to agriculture and cattle grazing expansion in addition to increasing temperatures, droughts and heavy rain.

This project involves the implementation of agroforestry practices into coffee systems, seeking to address the worsening farming conditions of regular pests and diseases which affect coffee fields and yields, loss of biodiversity, reduced pollination, pest control and water resources. It promotes climate change mitigation and adaptation in a global biodiversity hotspot.

“I cannot imagine a coffee parcel without trees! I can see the postive impact on the soil and my coffee quality. I love being on my parcel and maintaining the trees. All my family is invovled inthe farm lifestyle.”

KEY INTERVENTIONS

Agroforestry training, tree distribution, monitoring and technical support are all activities provided for farmers. Agroforestry and reforestation models are implemented to plant diversified native trees in and around small-holder coffee plantations. Cauca Y Nariño has the potential to reduce erosion in parcels exposed to landslides and protects uphill areas that generate natural springs and torrents, which improves water quality and quantity.

Through training materials and instructive games produced under the Farmers Field Schools (ECAS) methodology, we empower and encourage farmers to actively participate during training. Farmers follow a curriculum on climate change, deforestation, carbon, agroforestry systems, ecosystem benefits, planting and maintenance techniques.

Long-term change with the communities is implemented through the RETO methodology, which monitors for five years after plantation to gather feedback and measure long-term impact. The project provides long-term economic opportunities through a participatory approach that connects local communities and builds motivation for sustainable landscape management.