Phase 2

Latin America Coordinating Unit

 

Colombia National Project

Background

The Colombian project undertakes biodiversity conservation and management within an ecosystem or territorial approach, and the focus is more on biodiversity than in PGR. Specific areas are: food crops, indigenous vegetables, medicinal plants (for humans and animals).

Topics and activities related with Technical T- lines (Seed supply system, PPB and Noncultivated biodiversity) are combined with wider t-lines (as Gender, Mainstreaming and Policy)

All the activities are based on an agroecological approach.

From a social point of view, participatory and empowerment method are used.
  1. Initial workplan for the reported period

    • Seed supply systems activities
      •  Cultivated Species involved are: arracacha (Arracacia xantorrhiza), maize (Zea mais, beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris)

      Seasonal meetings of Curators (young and old people)

    • Non cultivated local biodiversity:
      local seed fairs and local food festivals, where stories, songs and tales are presented
      • Ethnoveterinary meetings with farmers

    • Mainstreaming:
      Educational planning at local level using PIE (Project for Institutional Education) as a tool. These projects are coordinated with Departmental Ministry of Education
      • Relationships with universities in order to develop the course that will be implemented trough Mainstreaming T- line have also been undertaken.

  2. Activities during the reported period.
    3.
    • Seed supply systems

      • Strategies involved around the three species named above are research and exchange of experiences and knowledge by a method where technicians and farmers teach each other and strength local knowledge represented by the curators or seed keepers.

      Different trials with direct participation of farmers as researchers were developed. The influence of the moon in growing and production of arracacha, and comparative management of traditional local farming methods of seed production .

    • Non cultivated biodiversity

      • Fairs and festivals have been organized in order to facilitate exchange of seeds, meals, traditional plates and songs, tales and poetry related with plants, crops and knowledge. Traditional handcraft made with maize dry leaves have been promoted.

  3. Results so far


    4. Significative influence of the moon in arracacha seed production were detected. Sowing in "decreasing phase" was compared with "growth phase" of the moon in terms of seed production

    Non significative differences were obtained in different sowing methods.

    Semidomesticated and domesticated varieties of beans have been detected in new communities trough exchange meetings with farmers like seed fairs or meetings among curators.

    All meetings and workshops related seeds and interchanges of knowledge and experiences conclude with a reflexive conversation about life, its value and importance of conserving it. Linking it with social/policy issues and biodiversity/ PGR is a common practice.

    Special reflections are devoted to the political situation (widespread violence) in Colombia.

    A publication of this experience will be developed for next period.

    Agronomic management of maize, specific and traditional ways of breeding will be investigated during next period (specifically a traditional PPB practice named wedding of maize")

  4. Mainstreaming


    5. Publication of a Manual of Ethno veterinary for second semester based on the results of CBDC first phase will be carried out. An agreement with the National Botanic Garden of Tuluá has been signed in order to classify plants from a scientific-botanic point of view and to draw them.

  5. Networking


    6. Co-organisation of the Latinamerican meeting for PGR growers and trainers during November 13-17 2000, organized under the umbrella of MAELA (Agroecological Movement of Latin America)

  6. Problems and emerging opportunities for implementation


    7. Due to the restrictive and complicated social-political conditions, wider relationships, connections and public activities must be encouraged in the area. Relationships of IMCA with other groups like universities, municipalities, farmers organizations are necessary at national, local level .

  7. Conclusions and recommendations


    8. Mainstreaming CBDC approach is a must for the project and the RCU has to play a strategic role motivating discussion, exchange and the development of a common conceptual framework on CBDC issues.

    Additionally, the RCU should act as a channel of information about reports, meetings, news, tendencies of discussion and status of discussion of international agendas

  8. Summary


    9. Interesting research results have been obtained in seed supply systems.

    Effects of the moon in seed production of arracacha- an indigenous vegetable- have been demonstrated

    Local Fairs and festivals have promoted the use and conservation of non cultivated biodiversity. Traditional meals have been reactivated

    Some publications of working methods with seed keepers will be published

    A manual of Ethnoveterinary will be designed for next period in cooperation with National Botany Garden from Tuluŕ