Diversification of Agriculture and Ecotourism for sustainable livelihoods in Talamanca Region, Costa Rica
Case Study C0039
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| Date | 2002 |
| Agency | Asociacion ANAI, APPTA and CBTC |
| Donor/support agency | Asociacion ANAI |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Community conserved area |
| Geographic coverage | Costa Rica |
| Locality | Talamanca Region |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/Landscape |
| Development focus | Talamnaca Region |
| Conservation goals | Preservation of outstanding biodiversity and unique ecosystems of the region |
| Poverty reduction goals | Improving the quality of life of Talamanc people |
Summary
Talamanca lies in south east of Costa Rica and is one of the poorest regions of the country. However, it has a tropical forest ecosystems and is rich in biodiversity with many species of rare flora and fauna. It has a population of 35000. People depended on the cultivation of a single crop of cocoa. In 1979, a fungal disease virtually collapsed the local agricultural economy. It forced farmers to clear the land to raise cattle, cut the trees for timber, and introduce intensive farming methods to produce short cycle cash crops. It created havoc on the local forest ecosystem. In the year 1983, a local NGO, Asociacion ANAI, and later two other organisations, launched an Initiative to stop these practices and assist people in finding alternative livelihoods. ANAI realised that there were hardly any community groups, which could come together and solve common problems. ANAI organised people over a period of three years, which led to the formation of community organisations, like the Association of Small Producers of Talamanca (APPTA), the Talamanca Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBTC), Finca Educativa, a regional training centre; and the community savings and loan groups. In 1985, Initiative helped in the establishment of Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife refuge for the protection of endangered Manatee. Experiments to establish diversified agro forestry system, where different species of fruits, nuts and spice crops could be grown together in a single plot, were started. Soon these experiments became successful and ANAI helped farmers establish tree nurseries in different communities. Between 1985 and 1990, more than 2 million cash crops, food crops and trees for timber were planted on the region's family farms, creating a much diverse resource base. APPTA developed processing infrastructure for local products and marketing strategies. It identified markets for organic products and established the first organic certification programme of Costa Rica. This strategy became commercially so successful that 1000 farmers have established organic agro ecosystems. APPTA has become the largest producer and exporter of organic products in Central America, generating an annual income of US $ 500000 to date, which are channelled to local economy. Finca Educativa trains over 2000 people every year in agriculture, health and appropriate technologies. In the year 1998, 17 different associations and businesses formed a network to promote ecotourism in the area. Now there are five ecotourism lodges, which are all owned and managed by community organisations. It has spurred small local businesses. Community's income has increased six times. Local people have taken responsibility for maintaining a healthy environment, strong local organisations and local economic stability.
Conservation impact
In 1985, Initiative helped in establishment of Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife refuge for the protection of endangered Manatee. Now people are establishing a community conservation fund. People have adopted agroforestry models for diversification of crops. Between 1985 and 1990, more than 2 million cash crops, food crops and trees for timber were planted on the region's family farms, creating a much more diverse resource base.
Poverty reduction impact
Exports of organic foods have generated income of US $ 500000 to date. Ecotourism also has benfitted local economy. Now the income of the community has increased six times.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Ecoagriculture
Facilitating access to markets
Local conservation enterprise opportunities
Reference 1
http://www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/secondary/equator_prize2002.htm#costarica
Reference 2
http://www.tve.org/ho/doc.cfm?aid=1347
More information
Bill McLarney, Apdo 170-2070, Sabanilla, Costa Rica, Tel: (506) 224 3570, E-mail: anaicr@racsa.co.cr