Sistemas agroforestales para la producción alimentaria sostenible

Abstract

The Social Appropriation of Knowledge Process (PASC) called Agroforestry Systems (SAF) for sustainable food production was developed during 2023, within the framework of the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement No. 3052363 between ECOPETROL and the Santo Tomás University, Bucaramanga Section. The objective of this PASC was to initiate an exchange of knowledge between researchers, technicians and cocoa producing communities to train extension workers on the potential of SAF for sustainable production. The process began with a recognition of the productive characteristics of cocoa in the area, followed by the selection and establishment of the most relevant tree materials and transitional species to associate with the existing cocoa plantation at the El Limonal Agri-Food Development Center. To transfer the knowledge obtained, a technological extension course was co-created for cocoa producers. It included face-to-face meetings, technical outings and practical work in cocoa cultivation and processing plants that encouraged the exchange of experiences between researchers, producers and other key actors in the production chain. In this context, the participating producers not only improved their cocoa production practices but also acquired the skills to act as replicators of this production approach in their communities of origin.