Implementing a ‘Sustainable Matrix Model’ within a biodiversity hotspot, the Ecuadorian Chocó

Species protection Community managed nature protection Ecosystem protection

2023

by Proyecto Washu / Fundación Naturaleza y Arte

Implementing a ‘Sustainable Matrix Model’ within a biodiversity hotspot, the Ecuadorian Chocó

The aim is to implement the ‘sustainable matrix model’ successfully developed by the NGO Proyecto Washu/Fundación Naturaleza y Arte with cacao farmers of three different communities in North-West Ecuador. To achieve this, we seek to conduct a participative process for decision making in the project, strengthen the local capacities of participants, especially in harvest and post-harvest techniques of Arriba Cacao, start a transition from conventional to organic farming, and promote activities to cut the trade chain of cacao. Simultaneously we expect to protect the remaining forest within the farms involved, and increase the knowledge and awareness of locals regarding nature protection.

Participatory workshops will be conducted with the farmers and their families to agree on the needs and visions of the community. To start the transition towards a sustainable land management, all farms will be mapped and categorized according to the land use, and areas for farming and forest protection will be defined. Workshops in organic farming, harvest/post-harvest cacao techniques and chocolate production will be imparted, and exchanges with other communities will be held; potential ethical cacao buyers will be contacted. Additionally, environmental education activities based on the principles of sustainability will be conducted with the families of the communities.

Name organisation:

Proyecto Washu / Fundación Naturaleza y Arte

Start date:

19-12-2023

Country/Territory:

Ecuador

Name organisation:

Proyecto Washu / Fundación Naturaleza y Arte

Start date:

19-12-2023

Country/Territory:

Ecuador

Participatory methodologies to implement the ‘Sustainable matrix model’ with the Arriba Cacao farmers’ association

The Ecuadorian-Chocó is within the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena biodiversity hotspot, a region of priority for conservation worldwide as it is home to many endemic but also endangered species like the Ecuadorian Brown Headed Spider Monkey (Ateles fusciceps). Currently, only the 2% of Chocó forest remains in Ecuador, and is located in the north-western region of the country, where high rates of poverty have been reported. In this region, logging and agricultural expansion have been identified as the main causes of deforestation, but they are also the main source of income in rural areas. For this reason, it is essential to integrate different strategies that effectively tackle this complex socio-environmental scenario.

To achieve this, Proyecto Washu has successfully used participatory methodologies to implement the “Sustainable matrix model” with the Arriba Cacao farmers’ association ASOPROTESCO, in the buffer area of private and public reserves in north-western Ecuador. The model consists on supporting the increase in income of small family farmers by eliminating the intermediaries in the commercialization chain, and instead, guaranteeing the purchase of their products from direct ethical buyers. The model also involves insuring that a percentage of the farmers’ land is used for forest preservation, and encouraging the creation of high quality matrices through an organic and agro-ecological land management.

The Van Tienhoven small grant fund has supported Proyecto Washu to replicate the model with the new association of Arriba Cacao farmers ASOPROCANANDE, helping us to expand our conservation impact from 231 to 581 hectares under the “Sustainable Matrix Model”, it has also allowed us to strengthen the local capacities of farmers in organic farming, harvest/post-harvest cacao techniques, and chocolate production and commercialization.