Multipurpose silvopastoral systems and family farming

Code:

ATN/RF-19277-RG

Initiative:

Call for Proposals

FONTAGRO Amount:

USD 200.000

Counterpart Amount:

USD 400.000

Other agencies

USD 0

Total Amount:

USD 600.000

Participating countries:

Colombia

Peru

Funding source:

FONTAGRO Amount 33% Other agencies 0% Counterpart Amount 67%

Executive Summary

In the Peruvian and Colombian Amazon, most of the rural population is engaged in agriculture, which includes cattle farming as a mainly family activity. Livestock farming has generated low sustainability in land use, mainly due to deforestation of forests for pasture. Livestock production is responsible for 80% of deforestation in the Amazon region and is responsible for the release of 340 million tons of atmospheric carbon each year, equivalent to 3.4% of current global emissions. This demonstrates the need to take action and promote sustainable land use practices such as silvopastoral systems to improve productivity and prevent the advance of deforestation in this region. The project will implement and monitor Multipurpose Silvopastoral Systems (MPSS) that generate information to design and propose incentive systems. In addition, a regional innovation platform will be developed for the promotion of silvopastoral practices in family farming that will reduce the environmental impact of livestock farming as a climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy, improving milk production and the profitability of the farmers.

The technological solution

Multipurpose Silvopastoral Systems (MPSS) that generate alternative uses and functions of trees or shrubs, such as forage, seed or fruit production, wood, provision of shade for livestock or as a soil enhancer.

Results

A baseline study was conducted in the SSPM implementation areas.
45 livestock farms with 38 hectares of silvopastoral systems were intervened in Peru and Colombia.
A 21.1% increase in daily milk production per cow was achieved.
Increases of 14.6%, 7%, and 6.6% were generated in milk fat, protein, and total solids content, respectively, in cows grazing under silvopastoral systems.
Eighteen (18) training and knowledge exchange events were held with producers, technical assistants, academia, and the general public, with a total of 405 in-person attendees and 3,747 visits to virtual events.
Development of a virtual innovation platform for the implementation of SSPM.