1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Onsite and Offsite Benefits of SLM

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Cesos - Centro de Estudios para la Sostenibilidad - Fundación Wajari (Wajari) - Colombia

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Agroforestry system of cacao crop under gallery forest shadow as family agriculture. It is located at the Pozetas Stream, in the Cusiana River Basin, Floodable Savannas of the Colombian Orinoco.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The agroforestry system of cacao crop planted under gallery forest is a private farmer initiative for family agriculture. The Crop is located in the gallery forest of Pozetas Stream, in the Cusiana River Basin. It is at the beginning of the Orinoco Floodable Savanas (250m a.s.l.). Municipality of Tauramena (Casanare), Colombia.

The cacao growths in an area of 4 hectares, being considered small farming, according to the Orinoco Regional scale. The cacao density is 1080 plants/hectare and the distance between plants is 3m. In this area, after tree thinning, the forest occupies 30% approximately. Some of the common tree species are Cedrus spp., Ficus spp. and Anadenanthera peregrina, among others.

The purpose of the technology is to use the gallery forest land in a productive way to generate income for the family, while keeping part of the forest. As cacao needs some shadow, specially in early growth stage, it is planted under the forest creating the agroforestry system.

Cacao seed germination and seedling preparation, gallery forest thinning and soil improvement with lime and organic fertilizer (rice husk), and finally planting, are the main establishment activities. Then the maintenance activities include cutting weeds, trimming cacao trees and fertilization every 2-3 months.

The cacao crop has produced fruits since the sixth year of being planted (2010) and is harvested every two weeks. It presents two yield peaks, the first one is in May-June and the second one in October-November. However it produces fruits along the year.

This technology provides additional income to the family, while conserving part of the original gallery forest. The more complex and diverse production system might favored pollination and crop health. The technology compared with other land uses around it such as oil palm tree and rice is more sustainable and it is something the land users prefer. They also like the value added to the cacao beens by processing their self the cacao beens to produce hand made 100% cacao bars for drinking chocolate.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2010

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

Comments (type of project, etc.):

It is a private initiative, introduced by a small farmer family to use the forest. They have use a bank loan to establish the cacao crop.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

During rainy season (April-November), rain provides enough water for the cacao crop. During dry season (December-March), when there is almost not rain, the cacao is irrigated by channels.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation

Comments:

The agroforestry system of cacao and gallery forest reduces land degradation compared with other neighboring land uses, such as extensive rice fields.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

Colombian Pesos

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

3750.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Seed germination	Enero
2.	Plant nursery establishment	Febrero
3.	Clear felling of 70% of native forest in the area	Febrero
4.	Sow hole digging	April-May (beginning of rainy season)
5.	Addition of lime and rice husk to the sow hole	April-May (beginning of rainy season)
6.	Cacao seedling planting in field	April-May (beginning of rainy season)

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Forest thinning to open cropland	ha	4.0	150000.0	600000.0	100.0
Labour	Sow hole preparation and seedling planting	ha	4.0	575000.0	2300000.0	100.0
Plant material	Cacao seeds	seed	5400.0	25.0	135000.0	100.0
Plant material	cacao seedlings	seedling	5000.0	500.0	2500000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Lime sack	50 kg	10.0	12000.0	120000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Rice husk	container	1.0	400000.0	400000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					6055000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					1614.67

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Cutting of weeds, specially around each cacao tree	Every 2 months
2.	Cacao tree trimming	Every 2 months
3.	Fertilization	Every 2-3 months
4.	Harvesting	Every 2 weeks

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Cutting of weeds, specially around each cacao tree	day	18.0	45000.0	810000.0	100.0
Labour	Cacao tree trimming	day	12.0	45000.0	540000.0	100.0
Labour	Fertilization and soil amendment with lime	day	13.0	45000.0	585000.0	100.0
Labour	Harvesting	day	24.0	45000.0	1080000.0	100.0
Equipment	Manual tools (e.g. machete, trimmer, shovel)	kit	1.0	150.0	150.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Lime sack	50 Kg	10.0	12000.0	120000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer sack	50 Kg	40.0	96000.0	3840000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					6975150.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					1860.04

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The plant material from seeds to seedlings are the highest cost for the technology establishment. Then, the fertilization is an important maintenance cost.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The technology takes place in the transition from the Andes to the Orinoco Floodable Savannas which topography is flat.

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Fine and coarse mixed alluvial material.
Association: Plinthic Tropaquepts; typic quartzipsamme
Poor drained, low PH and fertility.
According to the Soils of Casanare Department Map. 1:100.000. Agustin Codazzi Geographic Institute. Colombia

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Rainy season occurs from April to November, during these months, especially July and October there is excess of water availability. Then, during dry season, especially at the end in March, water availability is scarce.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Gallery forests along the streams and rivers of the Orinoco Basin present higher biodiversity in comparison to the surrounding savanna. In general the Orinoco basin is recognized as Global Outstanding Ecoregion (WWF).

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The technology is implemented by an elderly couple of small farmers.

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• leased

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The land owners got the land from parent´s heritage.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
seasonal temperature	dry season	increase	well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The technology generates Income along the year and keep us busy.
It is a way of having a crop and the gallery forest together.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The more complex and diverse production system might favored pollination and crop health.
The technology compared with other land uses around it such as oil palm tree and rice is more sustainable.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
It takes 6 years to begin to produce, but during the first years it is still requirement all maintenance activities	Planting cacao varieties, which produce fruits in less than 6 years.
There is little support for small farmers an entrepreneur initiatives, from public and private institutions, when then do not belong to any project.	By planning the potential occurrence of technologies/ initiatives,FF that is worth to give support, especially from public institutions and plan some resources for it.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Gallery forest thinning to open cropland is about 70%, which is a high portion of forest. The more gallery forest is protected, the better buffering for extreme climatic events	Using cacao tree varieties with more shadow tolerance, which let leave more forest percent in the agroforestry system

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Policy Brief: Land Use Change Impacts in the Cusiana Watershed of the River Basin, Orinoco River Basin, Colombia Author: Liniger HP, Vega LF, Ramírez BH, Eichenberger J, Year: 2020

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.wocat.net/en/projects-and-countries/projects/onsite-and-offsite-benefits-sustainable-land-management/colombia

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Video: Land Use Change Impacts in the Cusiana Watershed of the River Basin, Orinoco River Basin, Colombia. Author: Liniger HP, Vega LF, Ramírez BH, Eichenberger J, Year: 2020

Available from where? Costs?

https://vimeo.com/429999595