Tena, Ecuador, August 2023
This project is the fourth planting phase in the Ecuadorian Amazon since 2019. This new wave aims to reforest degraded areas by planting 7,200 trees. The sustainable agroforestry model being implemented will help both improve standards of living for the Kichwa people and protect the adjacent primary forest.
The plantation areas lie in the heart of the communities of Pukaurku and Pukachikta (San Pedro and Moretal sectors), both located in the Misahualli sector. This intervention area is far from the city and the population here earns its living mainly from agricultural activities (selling manioc, bananas, and maize). In this extremely poor agricultural area, socio-economic and environmental issues represent a real challenge for Ishpingo, A Tree for You‘s local partner.
The following actions were carried out during this first half-year of activities:
- identifying and forming the beneficiary group
- drawing up the reforestation plan
- establishing tree nurseries
- collective training during community work (minga), especially on producingorganic fertiliser and preparing seed bags, purchasing and harvesting seeds and seedlings, bagging seedlings, and nursery maintenance.
Three nurseries have been set up to produce the seedlings needed for this project. Two community nurseries in the village of Pukachikta (San Pedro and Moretal sectors) and one in Pukaurku.
The beneficiaries have been involved in preparing the project from the outset. Thanks to initial minga (collective work) in February 2023, each nursery was set up using local materials (palm trees, bamboo, etc).
Up to June 2023, several minga workdays were held to prepare the substrate (a mixture of black soil taken from the site and Bokashi organic fertiliser prepared by Ishpingo), fill the bags and then maintain the nursery. During this community work, the beneficiaries also received training ontechniques for transplanting young seedlings and direct sowing in bags.
Between March and June 2023, the project technicians gradually brought regeneration seeds and seedlings, which were immediately planted in the bags of soil. The young plants are growing slowly. At the end of June 2023, a final inventory was carried out for each of the three nurseries:
- Pukachikta-San Pedro – 1,383 timber seedlings and 1,451 viable fruit tree seedlings, totalling 2,834 seedlings to be distributed among 12 beneficiaries.
- Pukachikta-Moretal – 1,340 timber seedlings and 1,404 viable fruit seedlings, totalling 2,424 seedlings to be distributed among 12 beneficiaries.
- Pukaurku – 1,788 timber seedlings and 1,824 viable fruit seedlings, totalling 3,171 seedlings to be distributed among 16 beneficiaries.
A total of 4,511 timber and 4,679 fruit trees were produced, totalling 9,190 trees ready to be planted in the homes of 40 families.
A total of 13 species of timber were used to reforest. All are endangered and virtually non-existent in the project action area. For the fruit trees, the 18 species chosen are endemic and/or have been introduced but are non-invasive and adapted to the work area and needs of the local population.
The project is off to a good start and the beneficiaries are ready to plant between August and December 2023 on their plots.
See you soon for news from the field!
