The highly integrated and diversified land use system is concentrated on a 0.4 ha plot, while adjacent land is left to regenerate naturally. The tree belt around the plot is not yet established. (Mats Gurtner)
The intensive agroforestry system (silvoagricultura) combines traditional and newly developed practices adapted to the area’s conditions. The idea is to concentrate cropping on a limited area, a plot of 0.4 ha per household, in a highly integrated, intensive and diversified continuous land use system, thereby integrating soil and water conservation - specifically avoiding traditional slash and burn practices.
Each ‘agroforestry plot’ comprises four to five 50 cm wide and 40 m long multipurpose ditches that are excavated along the contour, 6 to 12 m apart, depending on the slope. The ditches retain runoff water which infiltrates the soil, thus reducing erosion and improving soil moisture. They also act as compost ditches for all types of organic residues on the farm. Residues, enriched with manure (from chickens and guinea pigs) are tipped into the ditches, and within 8 to12 months this decomposes into a fertile medium for the cultivation of vegetables and other crops.
The main purpose is to increase and diversify production, and at the same time to protect natural resources and regenerate degraded areas.
Grass strips are planted on the earth bund on the upper side of the ditch for stabilisation of the structure, retention of runoff and capture of eroded sediment. The grass is cut several times a year to feed guinea pigs, which in turn recycle this into manure. On the lower side of the contour ditches, fruit trees and bananas are planted. Rows of multipurpose trees (mainly indigenous species) are planted around each agroforestry plot as a windbreak and for economic reasons: yielding fruit and timber. Between the structures, annual (and semi-perennial) crops are grown on hand-dug micro-terraces/ridges, again sited along the contour. Some farmers intercrop with legumes. Supportive technologies are protection of wells,
afforestation and, where possible, irrigation to enhance production. Production is based on principles of organic farming.High initial inputs of external manure are subsidised by the project (CISEC; see associated approach). The remainder of each farmer’s land is left to natural regeneration, reforested, or where needed, used for conventional cropping
The system is implemented on degraded and often steep slopes in subhumid areas where intensive rainfall and dry periods alternate. The land is officially owned communally (an ‘Indigenous Reserve’), but land use rights are individual. The region has a high population density: people are basically of indigenous origin and live in very poor conditions.
Location: Santander de Quilichao, Cauca, Colombia
No. of Technology sites analysed:
Spread of the Technology: evenly spread over an area (1.2 km²)
In a permanently protected area?:
Date of implementation:
Type of introduction
| Specify input | Unit | Quantity | Costs per Unit (n.a.) | Total costs per input (n.a.) | % of costs borne by land users |
| Labour | |||||
| labour | ha | 1.0 | 220.0 | 220.0 | 100.0 |
| Plant material | |||||
| seeds | ha | 1.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 5.0 |
| seedlings | ha | 1.0 | 450.0 | 450.0 | 5.0 |
| Fertilizers and biocides | |||||
| compost/manure | ha | 1.0 | 600.0 | 600.0 | 5.0 |
| Total costs for establishment of the Technology | 1'285.0 | ||||
| Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD | 1'285.0 | ||||
| Specify input | Unit | Quantity | Costs per Unit (n.a.) | Total costs per input (n.a.) | % of costs borne by land users |
| Labour | |||||
| labour | ha | 1.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| Fertilizers and biocides | |||||
| biocides | ha | 1.0 | 45.0 | 45.0 | 100.0 |
| Total costs for maintenance of the Technology | 145.0 | ||||
| Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD | 145.0 | ||||
friction between participants and non-participants
high content of organic matter
use of water for irrigation
