Fresh news from Cochabamba
Each of our agroecological trees is linked to two names: a Bolivian tree guardian and a European tree guardian. Both are key pillars for the success of the project. Giving financial support for the purchase and planting of a fruit tree is equivalent to the work put into its care over the years. Planting a tree and keeping it healthy for several years while meeting the requirements of agroecological certification is not easy. It takes patience, perseverance and some farming skills.
During our inspections to check the tree growth and the presence of diseases, we started teaching some farming practices to the community members, such as pruning techniques. Some young plants in their second year are already large and need to be pruned to maintain a good balance between the vegetative and fruiting portions.
Water shortages in Cochabamba (nearly 50 days of drought) have caused the death of many avocado seedlings whereas lemons and cherimoyas have held up much better. In an environment subject to radical climatic events and sudden changes, we are also learning to adapt our project design to the new local conditions. Each dried-out tree seedling will be replaced with a more resilient one, and we are considering planting new species, such as apple, peach, and pomegranate, and new lemon cultivars to meet the demand of producers and the Bolivian market. Agroecology is not only environmental but also social. A strong agroecology listens to the demands of community members and evolves through the social dynamics of the group
To continue to support the initiative, buy another tree from our page or make one of your friends a new agroecological tree guardian!
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