Local governments in south Yunnan Province, in China started distributing free shade tree seedlings to all coffee farmers in 2012, to support the conversion from coffee monoculture to agroforestry systems. In a few years only, shade trees were planted on virtually all coffee estates in the region (~95,000 ha), making it a rare example of large-scale conversion towards agroforestry. Mature shade trees are known to provide a range of ecosystem services (improving soil fertility, buffering extreme climatic events, allowing revenue diversification, lowering coffee biannual production patterns, etc.) as well as some ecosystem disservices in the case of poorly selected or managed tree species (competition between shade trees and coffee for resources, higher incidence of some pests and diseases, etc.). In the present study, we measured the provision of ecosystem services and disservices of shade trees only a few years (3–5) after their introduction on coffee farms, to evaluate their rapid on-farm impact. We present here some key findings. Firstly, there is unexpected high tree species richness on coffee farms of Yunnan. Secondly, there is a clear positive impact of all investigated shade tree species on soil chemical and biological quality. Thirdly, there was a marked impact of shade trees on microclimate and they had a protective effect during a frost event in December 2017. Lastly, we show that coffee yield under shade trees could be as high as those measured in open areas, when shade tree species are carefully selected and managed. This study shows the rapid benefits provided by the introduction of shade trees in coffee farms, and therefore the potential for agroforestry to rapidly contribute to more sustainable coffee production. It sets up a baseline for further monitoring and evaluation of this rare example of a large-scale conversion program. In particular, we advocate for further monitoring of the competition from shade trees, likely to increase as trees grow, and the possible replacement of some tree species by more compatible ones in the coming years. We also advocate for adapting the current intensive farming practices (particularly by reducing current high fertilizer inputs) to maximize the benefits provided by shade trees.
Highly productive monoculture coffee (Coffea arabica L.) farms have rapidly expanded since the 1990s in Yunnan Province, China. In 2013, in order to initiate a large-scale transition towards more sustainable coffee growing practices, local government in southern Yunnan started distributing free shade tree seedlings to all coffee farmers in their jurisdictions. This study highlights the impact of three of these promoted shade tree species (Cinnamomum camphora, Bishofia javanica and Jacaranda mimosifolia) on soil fertility and coffee production only four years after their distribution to coffee farmers. Materials and methods Soil samples in the 0-20 cm soil layer were tested for chemical composition (soil organic matter, pH, total N, available P, exchangeable K, Ca and Mg), soil communities (free-living nematodes and microbial communities) and soil enzyme activities (β-glucodidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and acid phosphatase) under shade trees (6 replicates per tree species) and in open areas (15 replicates), both in coffee rows and inter-rows, once during the rainy and once during the dry season. Additionally, we characterized root systems and soil water profiles to a depth of 1.2m, monitored litterfall for one year, as well as coffee production for two years. Major results We detected a clear positive impact of all three shade tree species on soil chemical, biological and biochemical fertility, despite the marked effect of 20 years of high mineral fertilizer inputs. In particular, we measured higher pH and soil organic matter; similar or higher soil enzyme activities throughout the year; more abundant fungi communities throughout the year; and more abundant microbial communities during the dry season below shade trees than in open areas. Furthermore, coffee trees shaded by B. javanica and J. mimosifolia yielded as much as open coffee trees. On the other hand, coffee trees shaded by C. camphora yielded less than open coffee trees, most likely as a result of high root competition from this shade tree species. Lastly, shade trees had no visible impact on coffee organoleptic quality. Conclusion These results demonstrate that carefully selected shade trees can rapidly contribute to preserving and/or restoring soil fertility in intensive coffee systems, while maintaining high coffee yield.
International audience ; Intensive monoculture coffee farms quickly expanded in Yunnan Province in the 1990's and 2000's. In 2012, local authorities in Pu'er and Xishuangbanna Prefectures, the main coffee producing centre in the province, initiated a large-scale conversion program of these farms towards coffee-agroforestry systems to promote "ecologically-friendly coffee". Shade tree inventories and household interviews were conducted in these two prefectures to characterize coffee farms and the Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) of farmers on the provision of ecosystem services by associated tree species. This study on newly emerging coffee farming systems revealed a high level of tree species diversity at both farm and landscape levels despite the previous dominance of intensive coffee monoculture and the large-scale distribution of a limited number of shade tree species by the government. 162 tree species were encountered during farm inventories, out of which the community of coffee farmers was able to rank 30 against 9 ecosystem services and disservices. This study reveals that this LEK is a type of hybrid knowledge that still relies mostly on traditional knowledge of tree species combined with experience acquired from newly-implemented coffee-agroforestry practices. This study also pointed out knowledge gaps regarding the impact of mature trees on coffee yield, coffee quality and pest control. The participatory approach resulted in the identification of non-promoted species with a high potential to provide locally relevant ecosystem services in coffee-agroforestry systems. These results lead to the upgrade of an online tool (www. shadetreeadvice.org) which allows extension services generating lists of recommended shade tree species tailored to the local ecological context and individual farmers' needs. This tool will benefit farmers' livelihood, support landscape health and contribute to the sustainability of the emerging Yunnan coffee agriculture sector.
Intensive monoculture coffee farms quickly expanded in Yunnan Province in the 1990's and 2000's. In 2012, local authorities in Pu'er and Xishuangbanna Prefectures, the main coffee producing centre in the province, initiated a large-scale conversion program of these farms towards coffee-agroforestry systems to promote "ecologically-friendly coffee". Shade tree inventories and household interviews were conducted in these two prefectures to characterize coffee farms and the Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) of farmers on the provision of ecosystem services by associated tree species. This study on newly emerging coffee farming systems revealed a high level of tree species diversity at both farm and landscape levels despite the previous dominance of intensive coffee monoculture and the large-scale distribution of a limited number of shade tree species by the government. 162 tree species were encountered during farm inventories, out of which the community of coffee farmers was able to rank 30 against 9 ecosystem services and disservices. This study reveals that this LEK is a type of hybrid knowledge that still relies mostly on traditional knowledge of tree species combined with experience acquired from newly-implemented coffee-agroforestry practices. This study also pointed out knowledge gaps regarding the impact of mature trees on coffee yield, coffee quality and pest control. The participatory approach resulted in the identification of non-promoted species with a high potential to provide locally relevant ecosystem services in coffee-agroforestry systems. These results lead to the upgrade of an online tool (www.shadetreeadvice.org) which allows extension services generating lists of recommended shade tree species tailored to the local ecological context and individual farmers' needs. This tool will benefit farmers' livelihood, support landscape health and contribute to the sustainability of the emerging Yunnan coffee agriculture sector.
International audience ; Intensive monoculture coffee farms quickly expanded in Yunnan Province in the 1990's and 2000's. In 2012, local authorities in Pu'er and Xishuangbanna Prefectures, the main coffee producing centre in the province, initiated a large-scale conversion program of these farms towards coffee-agroforestry systems to promote "ecologically-friendly coffee". Shade tree inventories and household interviews were conducted in these two prefectures to characterize coffee farms and the Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) of farmers on the provision of ecosystem services by associated tree species. This study on newly emerging coffee farming systems revealed a high level of tree species diversity at both farm and landscape levels despite the previous dominance of intensive coffee monoculture and the large-scale distribution of a limited number of shade tree species by the government. 162 tree species were encountered during farm inventories, out of which the community of coffee farmers was able to rank 30 against 9 ecosystem services and disservices. This study reveals that this LEK is a type of hybrid knowledge that still relies mostly on traditional knowledge of tree species combined with experience acquired from newly-implemented coffee-agroforestry practices. This study also pointed out knowledge gaps regarding the impact of mature trees on coffee yield, coffee quality and pest control. The participatory approach resulted in the identification of non-promoted species with a high potential to provide locally relevant ecosystem services in coffee-agroforestry systems. These results lead to the upgrade of an online tool (www. shadetreeadvice.org) which allows extension services generating lists of recommended shade tree species tailored to the local ecological context and individual farmers' needs. This tool will benefit farmers' livelihood, support landscape health and contribute to the sustainability of the emerging Yunnan coffee agriculture sector.
RATIONALE - Local governments in southern Yunnan Province, China, started distributing free shade tree seedlings to coffee farmers in 2012. This prompted a large-scale conversion from intensive monoculture coffee systems towards coffee-agroforestry systems. In this study, we investigated the impacts of some commonly used shade tree species on microclimate and coffee yield and quality shortly after their introduction in coffee fields. METHODS - We selected 3 commonly found shade tree species: Jacaranda mimosifolia (deciduous, light-moderate shade), Bischofia javanica (deciduous, moderate shade), and Cinnamomum camphora (evergreen, dense shade). We marked 90 coffee trees below (treatment) and around (control) the shade tree canopies, and recorded their fruit development throughout a whole coffee cycle, from flowering to harvest, all the way to cup quality testing. In parallel, we recorded the impact of shade trees on microclimate using temperature loggers. RESULTS - The maximum potential coffee yield, indicated by flower set at the start of the growing season, decreased with shade intensity. However, fruit losses during the bean filling and maturation stages were higher in open conditions than under shade. Furthermore, shade trees buffered extreme temperatures and protected coffee trees from frost damages in December 2017 (+0.5 - 1˚C). Overall, coffee yield and quality under shade trees with moderate shade intensity (J. mimosifolia and B. Javanica, LAI<3) were similar to that of coffee trees in open conditions. Only C. camphora (dense shade, LAI=6) negatively impacted coffee yield. CONCLUSIONS & PERSPECTIVES - If carefully selected and managed to enhance complementarity with coffee, young shade trees can rapidly provide benefits similar to those expected from older trees, here only 4 years within the transition towards agroforestry. In the case of southern Yunnan Province, the positive tradeoffs from young shade trees (positive externalities related to microclimate and coffee physiology and absence of negative impacts on coffee yield and quality) partly explained the success of local government programs to promote shade trees and the surge of agroforestry systems.
Kodagu district in South India is the largest coffee producing region in India contributing to 35% of the production under shade grown system. These diverse coffee plantations which cover 30% of the landscape in the region not only provide valuable economic gains to the community but also provide vital ecosystem services to the Southern India since the most important river of South India Cauvery originates here and coffee plantations cover a large area in the watershed. With the opening of the coffee markets and related intensification of coffee production the highly diverse coffee based agro forestry systems are losing the tree cover and tree diversity and could transform to system with few native trees and exotic fast growing trees like Silver Oak (Grevillea robusta). To address some of the issues related to loss of diversity and to promote sustainable coffee cultivation project CAFNET (Coffee Agroforestry Network) was launched in 2007 in 7 countries. In this project funded by European Union and coordinated by CIRAD France efforts are underway to strengthen ecological reasoning and to improve the business skills of farmers to negotiate access to payments for environmental services. Kodagu district is the only CAFNET site in India and multidisciplinary team of researchers are undertaking studies in 38 villages in the Cauvery Watershed region. Ecological and Socio-economic studies are being undertaken for the first time in the region to document and value the ecosystem services being offered by coffee based agroforestry systems. Efforts are underway to educate farmers and to form groups to add value to coffee through eco certification. This multi disciplinary study will help in providing much needed information on role of coffee plantations in providing key ecosystem services and to formulate guidelines for sustainable coffee cultivation and help the farmers through value addition and better access to markets.
This study was aimed to identify the forests and agro-forestry systems (AFS) that provide important ecosystems services (ES) for vulnerability reduction to climate change in the potable water sector in Nicaragua. Forests areas and AFS important for the potable water sector were deter-mined from data about and uses, their capacity to provide ES, benefits obtained by ES users, location of the users, and vulnerability indices in the context of climatic change. Data were processed by a mathematical model and a geographical information system. Results show that important forests and AFS are mainly located in the Pacific and Central regions and that only 20% of the important to very important forests are protected by the protected areas system. These results provide insights on the adaptive management measures for forests and AFS that would reduce the vulnerability of the potable water sector facing climate change.
Tropical highland ecosystem resources strongly depend on climate variability and associated water availability. This work aimed at better understanding the interactions between agro-forestry systems (cocoa and coffee) and livelihoods resulting in Land Use/Cover Changes (LUCCs) along the Rungwe tropical highlands in southern Tanzania. GIS- based analysis and remote sensing methods (World view II, Landsat Thematic Mapper and Enhanced Thematic Mapper+) were undertaken to detect and map changes among four main agro-ecosystems, namely food, cash crops, forest and irrigated agro-ecosystems. Image analysis validated with geo-coding surveys evidenced significant LUCCs since 1993 along with a ca. 3% area-per-decade increase in cocoa, a ca. 6% area-per-decade decrease in coffee, and a ca. 4 % area-per-decade decrease in natural forest cover. The latter was associated with a loss of natural species such as the fire and drought-resistant miombo trees, a critical issue under currently drier conditions. In addition, primary data collection, household questionnaire surveys and key informant interviews showed that market-driven factors of LUCCs were straightforward, as illustrated by the replacement of major agro-forestry systems and/or the emergence of valuable cash crops (e.g. potato) through time. LUCCs mainly impacted crops and vegetation diversity, also resulting in increased land fragmentation. In the absence of climate-smart resource management, the land cover competition between food and cash crops was stressed as a critical threat over livelihood security. Trends in cocoa, tea and new avocado agro-forestry systems developed at the expense of coffee must be further understood as a balance between climate trends, population growth, political influences and infrastructure development.
India produces about 4% of the world's coffee, and the district of Kodagu (Coorg) in the Western Ghats produces one third of the Indian coffee in diverse agro-forestry systems. The landscape is made of multi-storeyed plantations of coffee and associated crops (pepper, cardamom), grown in landscapes associated with terraced rice fields and fragments of evergreen rainforests. This landscape mosaic is subject to strong social and ecological dynamics. The forest has been reduced by more than 30% in 20 years because of the development of coffee plantations; the tree cover rich in native species is being progressively replaced by one single exotic tree species, Grevillea robusta In this context, we describe three strategies of adding value to localised products (here, coffee) based on the reputation of the locality and explore their possible links with the conservation of the cultural and biological diversity of the district. The first approach is based on the use of trademarks comprising the geographical name of the district, Coorg. Large corporate coffee estates use them to market their products. The second is based on geographical indications (GIs) widely promoted by the government of India since 2003. There are already GIs on products originating from Coorg (Coorg Green Cardamom and Coorg Orange) but none on its leading product, coffee. The reputation and the historical proofs are already established, but the specifications of the product and the area of production are yet to be defined. In this scenario, the Coffee Board of India could play a leading role, acting on behalf of the interests of the producers. The third strategy deals with environmental certifications. Most of them are only beginning to be implemented in India. This approach rests in the hands of private entrepreneurs, certifying bodies or non-profit organisations, which can be qualified as external stakeholders imposing their norms on the local supply chain. In this paper we propose an analysis of the respective strengths and weaknesses of these three strategies and their possible use for the conservation of the cultural and biological diversity of the district.
16 figuras,38 tabulaciones, referencias 150-151. ; A finales de los años 1990 el CATIE, con apoyo de varias ins tituciones, inició una red de ensayos de largo plazo en sistemas agroforestales con café. Los vacíos de información sobre las inte racciones agroecológicas en sistemas con diferentes enfoques de producción a largo plazo, sumados a la urgente necesidad de ase gurar sostenibilidad y restauración ecológica, fueron las principales motivaciones. Se presenta una reseña general de los primeros 20 años de estudios continuos en el CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica, a partir de un proceso interinstitucional e interdisciplinario. La idea base era generar conocimientos sobre las complejas interacciones entre clima, suelo, sombra, niveles y tipos de insumos y variedades de café que posibilitara el desarrollo de estrategias de diseño y manejo de sistemas agroforestales con potencial de sostener nive les de productividad aceptables y, a la vez, garantizar sinergismos ecológicos para la mejora del suelo, la biodiversidad y los servicios ambientales. El ensayo fue diseñado con seis tipos de sombra con la especie de servicio Erythrina poepiggiana y los maderables Terminalia amazonia (no fijador de nitrógeno) y Chloroleucon eurycyclum (fijador de nitrógeno), solos y en combinación, en contraste con el testigo a pleno sol. Como sub-tratamientos se definieron dos tipos de manejo (orgánico y convencional) en cuatro niveles: alto convencional (AC), moderado convencional (MC), orgánico intensivo (MO) y bajo orgánico (BO). La variedad principal de estudio fue la Caturra; además, se establecieron en algunos sistemas microparcelas con Costa Rica 95 y los híbridos Centroamericano y Milenio, L2A11, L3A17, L3A12 y L3A15. Luego de superar la fase crítica de establecimiento (primeros dos años), la plataforma de investigación se consolidó generando una invaluable base de datos y estudios a lo largo del tiempo. Con la colaboración de 22 universidades e instituciones de diversas partes del mundo, se desarrollaron 41 tesis de grado y posgrado, 23 artículos científicos en revistas internacionales y 22 documen tos técnicos para diferentes públicos. Los resultados, usando una síntesis matricial sobre los estudios de los sistemas evaluados, indican elementos claves sobre las interacciones agroecológicas y sus vínculos con la sostenibilidad productiva y sinergias ecológicas. Los sistemas de producción con la variedad Caturra a pleno sol y/o con dos podas drásticas anuales de los árboles de sombra (bajo aporte de biomasa y mucha entrada de luz) con manejos AC y MC, aun con altos niveles de productividad, impactaron negativamente en variables biofísicas y en servicios ambientales. Los SAF con Terminalia y Caturra con manejo BO perdieron viabilidad en los primeros 10 años. Los SAF, en su conjunto, mejoraron el micro clima. En particular los SAF con presencia de Erythrina mejoraron el desempeño productivo y los servicios ambientales. Todos los SAF presentaron mejor valoración de servicios ambientales que los sistemas a pleno sol. Los SAF que se destacaron en producti vidad y servicios ambientales fueron Erythrina en manejo MO y MC. Los sistemas Erythrina y Erythrina más Chloroleucon, ambos en manejo BO, han presentado buena rentabilidad, con bajos costos y buena valoración en servicios ambientales. Respecto a la comparación productiva entre diferentes variedades, los híbridos F1 Milenio y Centroamericano, produjeron más del doble (14 212,5 y 13 368,75 kg/ha respectivamente en valores promedio), que Caturra con el promedio más bajo (5230,62 kg/ha), y también superado por Costa Rica 95 (con promedio de 9823,75 kg/ha). Tanto los enfoques metodológicos, como las innovaciones generadas, han sido sociali zadas ampliamente en procesos de fortalecimiento de capacidades en los países productores de café en las Américas (capacitación a más de 42 041 productores). Se ha dado soporte al diseño e imple mentación de políticas cafetaleras orientadas a la sostenibilidad productiva, económica, social y ambiental. Para este logro fue determinante la colaboración con PROMECAFE, los Institutos de Café en Centroamérica, RECIPROCAFE y la Alianza de Mujeres en Café. En los últimos cuatro años, el Programa Regional de Gestión Integral de la Roya (PROCAGICA-IICA-UE), ha faci litado vínculos entre la agenda de investigación/validación en el ensayo propiamente y los protocolos de validación de innovaciones en la red de fincas de referencia en cinco países de América Central (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua y Costa Rica). Dada su relevancia, aun con la meta inicial de 20 años ya cumplida, la idea es seguir operando en el ensayo de largo plazo de SAF con café en CATIE. Las experiencias pioneras desarrolladas han sido fuente para otras experiencias en diferentes países, lo cual permitió ampliar la red de ensayos agroforestales para estudios de largo plazo. En este ámbito, destaca el ensayo de SAF cítricos orgánicos (Hacienda de la Toca, São Paulo, Brasil); los ensayos de café, cacao y naranjilla (INIAP-Estación Central de la Amazonia, Ecuador); el ensayo SAF café (EARTH, Caribe, Costa Rica) y más recientemente, los ensayos de largo plazo con cacao y pasturas establecidos en CATIE ; In the late 1990s, CATIE, with the support of various institutions, began a network of long-term trials in agroforestry systems with coffee. The information gaps on agroecological interactions in systems with different long-term production approaches, and the urgent need to ensure sustainability and ecological restoration, were the main motivations. A general review of the first 20 years of continuous studies at CATIE, Turrialba is presented based on an interinstitutional and interdisciplinary process. The basic idea was to generate knowledge about the complex interactions between climate, soil, shade, levels and types of inputs and coffee varieties, which would enable the development of design and management strategies for agroforestry systems with the potential to sustain acceptable levels of productivity and the time to guarantee eco logical synergies for the improvement of soil, biodiversity and environmental services. The trial was designed with six types of shade with the service species Erythrina poepiggiana, and the hardwoods Terminalia amazonia (non-fixer of Nitrogen) and Chloroleucon eurycyclum (fixer of Nitrogen), alone and in combi nation, in contrast to the control in full sun. As sub-treatments, two types of management (organic and conventional) were defined at four levels: High Conventional (AC), Moderate Conventional (MC), Intensive Organic (MO) and Low Organic (BO). The main variety of study was Caturra, in addition, they were established in some microplot systems with Costa Rica 95 and: Centroamericano, Milenio, L2A11, L3A17, L3A12 and L3A15 hybrids. After over coming the critical phase of establishment (first two years), the research platform was consolidated, generating an invaluable database and studies over time. With the collaboration of 22 universities and institutions from different parts of the world, 41 undergraduate and graduate theses, 23 scientific articles in interna tional journals and 2 technical documents for different audiences were developed. The results, using a matrix synthesis of the studies of the evaluated systems, indicate key elements about agroecologi cal interactions and their links with productive sustainability and ecological synergies. The production systems with the Caturra vari ety in full sun and or with two drastic annual prunings of the shade trees (low contribution of biomass and a lot of light input) with AC and MC management, even with high levels of productivity, had a negative impact in biophysical variables and in environmental services. The AFS with Terminalia and with Caturra in BO management lost viability in the first 10 years. The AFS as a whole improved the microclimate. In particular, AFS with Erythrina presence improved productive performance and environmental services. All the AFS presented a better valuation of environmen tal services than the systems in full sun. The AFS that stood out in productivity and environmental services were Erythrina in MO management and MC management. The Erythrina and Erythrina plus Chloroleucon systems, both in BO management, have pre sented good profitability, with low costs and good valuation in environmental services. Regarding the productive comparison between different varieties, the Millennium and Central American F1 hybrids produced more than double (14212,5 and 13368,75 kg/ha respectively in average values) than Caturra with the low est average (5230,62 kg/ha), and also surpassed by Costa Rica 95 (with an average of 9823,75/ha). Both the methodological approaches and the innovations generated have been widely socialized in capacity building processes in the coffee producing countries of the Americas (training more than 42,041 produc ers). Support has been given to the design and implementation of coffee policies aimed at productive, economic, social and environ mental sustainability. The collaboration with PROMECAFE, the Coffee Institutes in Central America, RECIPROCAFE and the Alliance of Women in Coffee was decisive for this achievement. In the last four years, the Regional Program for Comprehensive Rust Management-PROCAGICA-IICA-EU has facilitated links between the research/validation agenda in the trial and the inno vation validation protocols in the network of reference farms in five Central American countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica). The pioneering experiences developed have been a source for other countries beyond Costa Rica, this allowed expanding the agroforestry trials network for long-term studies. In this area, the Organic Citrus AFS Trial (Toca Farm, São Paulo, Brazil), the Coffee, Cacao and Naranjilla Trial (INIAP-Central Amazon Station, Ecuador), the Coffee AFS Trial (EARTH, Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica) and more recently, the long-term trials with cacao and pastures established at CATIE
16 figuras,38 tabulaciones, referencias 150-151. ; A finales de los años 1990 el CATIE, con apoyo de varias ins tituciones, inició una red de ensayos de largo plazo en sistemas agroforestales con café. Los vacíos de información sobre las inte racciones agroecológicas en sistemas con diferentes enfoques de producción a largo plazo, sumados a la urgente necesidad de ase gurar sostenibilidad y restauración ecológica, fueron las principales motivaciones. Se presenta una reseña general de los primeros 20 años de estudios continuos en el CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica, a partir de un proceso interinstitucional e interdisciplinario. La idea base era generar conocimientos sobre las complejas interacciones entre clima, suelo, sombra, niveles y tipos de insumos y variedades de café que posibilitara el desarrollo de estrategias de diseño y manejo de sistemas agroforestales con potencial de sostener nive les de productividad aceptables y, a la vez, garantizar sinergismos ecológicos para la mejora del suelo, la biodiversidad y los servicios ambientales. El ensayo fue diseñado con seis tipos de sombra con la especie de servicio Erythrina poepiggiana y los maderables Terminalia amazonia (no fijador de nitrógeno) y Chloroleucon eurycyclum (fijador de nitrógeno), solos y en combinación, en contraste con el testigo a pleno sol. Como sub-tratamientos se definieron dos tipos de manejo (orgánico y convencional) en cuatro niveles: alto convencional (AC), moderado convencional (MC), orgánico intensivo (MO) y bajo orgánico (BO). La variedad principal de estudio fue la Caturra; además, se establecieron en algunos sistemas microparcelas con Costa Rica 95 y los híbridos Centroamericano y Milenio, L2A11, L3A17, L3A12 y L3A15. Luego de superar la fase crítica de establecimiento (primeros dos años), la plataforma de investigación se consolidó generando una invaluable base de datos y estudios a lo largo del tiempo. Con la colaboración de 22 universidades e instituciones de diversas partes del mundo, se desarrollaron 41 tesis de grado y posgrado, 23 artículos científicos en revistas internacionales y 22 documen tos técnicos para diferentes públicos. Los resultados, usando una síntesis matricial sobre los estudios de los sistemas evaluados, indican elementos claves sobre las interacciones agroecológicas y sus vínculos con la sostenibilidad productiva y sinergias ecológicas. Los sistemas de producción con la variedad Caturra a pleno sol y/o con dos podas drásticas anuales de los árboles de sombra (bajo aporte de biomasa y mucha entrada de luz) con manejos AC y MC, aun con altos niveles de productividad, impactaron negativamente en variables biofísicas y en servicios ambientales. Los SAF con Terminalia y Caturra con manejo BO perdieron viabilidad en los primeros 10 años. Los SAF, en su conjunto, mejoraron el micro clima. En particular los SAF con presencia de Erythrina mejoraron el desempeño productivo y los servicios ambientales. Todos los SAF presentaron mejor valoración de servicios ambientales que los sistemas a pleno sol. Los SAF que se destacaron en producti vidad y servicios ambientales fueron Erythrina en manejo MO y MC. Los sistemas Erythrina y Erythrina más Chloroleucon, ambos en manejo BO, han presentado buena rentabilidad, con bajos costos y buena valoración en servicios ambientales. Respecto a la comparación productiva entre diferentes variedades, los híbridos F1 Milenio y Centroamericano, produjeron más del doble (14 212,5 y 13 368,75 kg/ha respectivamente en valores promedio), que Caturra con el promedio más bajo (5230,62 kg/ha), y también superado por Costa Rica 95 (con promedio de 9823,75 kg/ha). Tanto los enfoques metodológicos, como las innovaciones generadas, han sido sociali zadas ampliamente en procesos de fortalecimiento de capacidades en los países productores de café en las Américas (capacitación a más de 42 041 productores). Se ha dado soporte al diseño e imple mentación de políticas cafetaleras orientadas a la sostenibilidad productiva, económica, social y ambiental. Para este logro fue determinante la colaboración con PROMECAFE, los Institutos de Café en Centroamérica, RECIPROCAFE y la Alianza de Mujeres en Café. En los últimos cuatro años, el Programa Regional de Gestión Integral de la Roya (PROCAGICA-IICA-UE), ha faci litado vínculos entre la agenda de investigación/validación en el ensayo propiamente y los protocolos de validación de innovaciones en la red de fincas de referencia en cinco países de América Central (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua y Costa Rica). Dada su relevancia, aun con la meta inicial de 20 años ya cumplida, la idea es seguir operando en el ensayo de largo plazo de SAF con café en CATIE. Las experiencias pioneras desarrolladas han sido fuente para otras experiencias en diferentes países, lo cual permitió ampliar la red de ensayos agroforestales para estudios de largo plazo. En este ámbito, destaca el ensayo de SAF cítricos orgánicos (Hacienda de la Toca, São Paulo, Brasil); los ensayos de café, cacao y naranjilla (INIAP-Estación Central de la Amazonia, Ecuador); el ensayo SAF café (EARTH, Caribe, Costa Rica) y más recientemente, los ensayos de largo plazo con cacao y pasturas establecidos en CATIE ; In the late 1990s, CATIE, with the support of various institutions, began a network of long-term trials in agroforestry systems with coffee. The information gaps on agroecological interactions in systems with different long-term production approaches, and the urgent need to ensure sustainability and ecological restoration, were the main motivations. A general review of the first 20 years of continuous studies at CATIE, Turrialba is presented based on an interinstitutional and interdisciplinary process. The basic idea was to generate knowledge about the complex interactions between climate, soil, shade, levels and types of inputs and coffee varieties, which would enable the development of design and management strategies for agroforestry systems with the potential to sustain acceptable levels of productivity and the time to guarantee eco logical synergies for the improvement of soil, biodiversity and environmental services. The trial was designed with six types of shade with the service species Erythrina poepiggiana, and the hardwoods Terminalia amazonia (non-fixer of Nitrogen) and Chloroleucon eurycyclum (fixer of Nitrogen), alone and in combi nation, in contrast to the control in full sun. As sub-treatments, two types of management (organic and conventional) were defined at four levels: High Conventional (AC), Moderate Conventional (MC), Intensive Organic (MO) and Low Organic (BO). The main variety of study was Caturra, in addition, they were established in some microplot systems with Costa Rica 95 and: Centroamericano, Milenio, L2A11, L3A17, L3A12 and L3A15 hybrids. After over coming the critical phase of establishment (first two years), the research platform was consolidated, generating an invaluable database and studies over time. With the collaboration of 22 universities and institutions from different parts of the world, 41 undergraduate and graduate theses, 23 scientific articles in interna tional journals and 2 technical documents for different audiences were developed. The results, using a matrix synthesis of the studies of the evaluated systems, indicate key elements about agroecologi cal interactions and their links with productive sustainability and ecological synergies. The production systems with the Caturra vari ety in full sun and or with two drastic annual prunings of the shade trees (low contribution of biomass and a lot of light input) with AC and MC management, even with high levels of productivity, had a negative impact in biophysical variables and in environmental services. The AFS with Terminalia and with Caturra in BO management lost viability in the first 10 years. The AFS as a whole improved the microclimate. In particular, AFS with Erythrina presence improved productive performance and environmental services. All the AFS presented a better valuation of environmen tal services than the systems in full sun. The AFS that stood out in productivity and environmental services were Erythrina in MO management and MC management. The Erythrina and Erythrina plus Chloroleucon systems, both in BO management, have pre sented good profitability, with low costs and good valuation in environmental services. Regarding the productive comparison between different varieties, the Millennium and Central American F1 hybrids produced more than double (14212,5 and 13368,75 kg/ha respectively in average values) than Caturra with the low est average (5230,62 kg/ha), and also surpassed by Costa Rica 95 (with an average of 9823,75/ha). Both the methodological approaches and the innovations generated have been widely socialized in capacity building processes in the coffee producing countries of the Americas (training more than 42,041 produc ers). Support has been given to the design and implementation of coffee policies aimed at productive, economic, social and environ mental sustainability. The collaboration with PROMECAFE, the Coffee Institutes in Central America, RECIPROCAFE and the Alliance of Women in Coffee was decisive for this achievement. In the last four years, the Regional Program for Comprehensive Rust Management-PROCAGICA-IICA-EU has facilitated links between the research/validation agenda in the trial and the inno vation validation protocols in the network of reference farms in five Central American countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica). The pioneering experiences developed have been a source for other countries beyond Costa Rica, this allowed expanding the agroforestry trials network for long-term studies. In this area, the Organic Citrus AFS Trial (Toca Farm, São Paulo, Brazil), the Coffee, Cacao and Naranjilla Trial (INIAP-Central Amazon Station, Ecuador), the Coffee AFS Trial (EARTH, Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica) and more recently, the long-term trials with cacao and pastures established at CATIE
Les systèmes alimentaires englobent une très large palette d'activités humaines liées d'une façon ou d'une autre à l'alimentation. Ils renvoient ainsi au besoin fondamental de se nourrir, jouent un rôle déterminant sur l'état de santé des populations et, au-delà de ces besoins fondamentaux, ils ont une importante dimension culturelle, sociale et économique. L'alimentation est une source de créativité et de plaisir ainsi qu'un puissant pilier des cultures et des religions. Elle relie intrinsèquement l'être humain à la Nature. Pour produire leurs aliments, les sociétés humaines transforment leur environnement et génèrent un impact considérable sur les ressources naturelles (sol, biodiversité, eau.), les écosystèmes et le climat. En retour, cet impact majeur affecte les conditions de production et d'accès à l'alimentation. Les systèmes alimentaires génèrent enfin des " richesses ", du capital et des revenus qui se répartissent entre les différentes parties prenantes de ces systèmes avec des modalités variables selon les sociétés qui les créent, en bénéficient ou en souffrent. Produits d'une longue histoire humaine inscrite dans des espaces géographiques, les systèmes alimentaires – et le lien social qu'ils créent – forment souvent la matrice des territoires et contribuent de façon fondamentale à structurer leur tissu économique. Très dynamiques, ils évoluent sous l'effet de facteurs démographiques, économiques, naturels, politiques et juridiques. Les systèmes alimentaires génèrent ainsi d'importants effets – positifs et négatifs – à différentes échelles emboîtées. A l'échelle des territoires, ils affectent de façon directe ou indirecte le fonctionnement physique, biologique, économique et social de ce territoire et/ou des populations concernées. C'est ce positionnement au carrefour des grands défis de l'humanité – alimentation, santé, emplois, environnement – qui font des systèmes alimentaires un élément absolument incontournable dans les trajectoires du développement durable. Le Cirad mène depuis plusieurs décennies des recherches sur ces systèmes alimentaires dans différents pays. En rappelant ses priorités, il s'engage à continuer à contribuer à leurs transformations selon les divers objectifs du développement durable.
It is well known now that in East Africa climate change will have a massive impact on the productivity of coffee and on the livelihoods that depend on it. In this study, current and future suitability of coffee were mapped using 19 climatic variables and 21 IPCC models. The maps were validated with field data. Furthermore, long-term historical data was used to confirm the impact of climate change on coffee productivity. Although we know that climate change will have an impact on the productivity of coffee, smallholder coffee systems also face other constraints at various levels that need to be understood in order to develop climate-smart systems. With the proof that climate change will lead to a decrease of coffee productivity and with knowledge of the major constraints in the different coffee-based systems not only at plot level but also at household, community and landscape level, we have developed shaded systems combining cash and food crops that can play a major role in adapting East African coffee smallholder systems into areas where population pressure keeps on increasing. Developing these strategies, we show that only thinking about getting farmers more 'technified' is not the right solution. More cash in the pocket does not necessarily mean more food security and more resilience. Furthermore, strategies currently promoted by the industry often lead to more gender imbalances than before. We show how developing CSA practices need to take constraints and actors at nested scales (i.e. from plot to region) into consideration. Doing this in a participatory way is crucial to ensure impact in the long term. (Texte intégral)
