Plant Your Future’s Knowledge Exchange Visit to Madre de Dios
Recently, Plant Your Future engaged in a knowledge exchange program that took its staff from Ucayali to Madre de Dios. This initiative, funded by the Old Dart Foundation through the Open University, aimed to facilitate learning and collaboration between different regions. We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Lucy Dablin and the Open University for establishing this valuable partnership.
Participants: Gloria Ahuanari and Pablo Shahuano
Representing Plant Your Future were agronomists Gloria Ahuanari and Pablo Shahuano. Both based in Ucayali, this visit to Madre de Dios was their first, presenting an opportunity to explore and learn from new environmental contexts and agricultural practices.
Itinerary Organized by WWF Peru
WWF Peru designed a comprehensive itinerary that included:
- Rotational Grazing of Cattle: Observation of sustainable cattle farming techniques.
- Electric Fencing: Insights into the implementation and benefits of electric fencing in livestock management.
- Improved Soil Management: Exploration of methods to enhance soil fertility and reduce chemical use.
- Silvopasture: Incorporating trees back in the ranching landscape.
These practices, facilitated by WWF Peru, showcased effective strategies for improving soil health and agricultural productivity. Gloria and Pablo observed the tangible benefits of these techniques on soil fertility and overall environmental sustainability.
Farmer Field School and Community Dialogue
A significant component of the visit was participation in a WWF Peru-led farmer field school, where Gloria and Pablo engaged with ranchers from a community near Iñapari. Additionally, they participated in discussions with partners and stakeholders of the ALIANZA POR UNA GANADERÍA REGENERATIVA EN LA AMAZONIA PERUANA (Alliance for Regenerative Ranching in the Peruvian Amazon). These dialogues highlighted the critical role of sustainable practices in maintaining the ecological balance of the Amazon region.
Collaboration with Camino Verde
The visit also included a field visit to Camino Verde, an organization committed to reforestation and environmental sustainability. Gloria and Pablo visited Camino Verde’s tree nursery, exchanging ideas on the empowerment of female farmers in managing tree nurseries. This collaboration emphasized shared goals in promoting sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship.
Impact and Future Directions
This knowledge exchange, or pasantía, provided Gloria and Pablo with valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices and fostered connections with like-minded organizations. The knowledge gained from this experience is expected to enhance Plant Your Future’s initiatives in Ucayali, contributing to the development of more sustainable agricultural practices.
Acknowledgements
We express our gratitude to WWF Peru, and Camino Verde for making this knowledge exchange possible and to the Old Dart Foundation for their funding. Their support and collaboration have been instrumental in advancing our shared mission of sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.