OVERVIEW
Costa Rica is a country known for its incredible biodiversity and importance to nature. However, at the beginning of the 20th century, the country faced severe deforestation due to the expansion of the agricultural frontier. Today, the regions around San Jose remain fragmented, and face environmental challenges such as soil erosion, soil fertility loss, reduction of native biodiversity and increase the frequency of degradation related to extreme climate events, pests and diseases infestation.
This project, active since 2019, supports small-scale coffee farmers to restore fragmented ecosystems and adapt to climate change. Coffee plantations in La Giorgia, Orosi, Santo Domingo and San Diego, are either full-sun or lack shade-tree diversity. The farmers in these regions are motivated to restore their landscapes and value ecosystem services.
Working with local partners, ECom and Volcafe, agroforestry practices are implemented amongst coffee farms which have the potential to reduce soil erosion and is critical for coffee productivity and quality. Farming conditions are addressed, such as pests and diseases (rust) by reintroducing species diversity and restoring watersheds to improve water retention capacity. PUR’s expertise in designing complex and productive agroforestry systems with diverse native species can enhance environmental benefits while conserving coffee productivity.
KEY INTERVENTIONS
Each year, new planting waves are launched. Over 15 months, producers are supported in the establishment technical agroforestry system. Planting models and species are adapted to the environmental context and needs of the farmer. Trees can prevent soil person, increase soil fertility, improve biodiversity while diversifying means of subsistence.
The project works to reforest communal areas such as unproductive lands and riparian zones to limit erosion, protect watersheds, and conserve biodiversity, such as birds. Implemented in partnership with three community “asadas” organizations in charge of managing water resources.
Initiatives have begun to promote the participation of women within the agroforestry project. A campaign was launched recruiting women among farmers’ families. A group of women were chosen, and training on commercial forestry nurseries provided the project with qualitative and diversified tree seedlings.
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