A Strategy for Scaling-Up Intensive Silvopastoral Systems in Colombia

Systèmes silvopastoraux et atténuation du changement climatique en Amérique latine

“…Although SPS can provide significant benefits, lack of capital and high cost of establishment and management represent the two most important barriers to the adoption of these systems (CALLE et al, 2009;CALLE et al, 2013). Even though the investment can be recovered in a relatively short period (3-4 years), most farmers, technicians and banks have not assimilated this relatively new thinking about cattle-ranching.…”

“…Even though the investment can be recovered in a relatively short period (3-4 years), most farmers, technicians and banks have not assimilated this relatively new thinking about cattle-ranching. Nevertheless, Latin American cattle ranchers must quickly adapt to a changing climate and to the challenges of recent free-trade agreements that will demand producing high-quality beef and dairy products, at a lower cost and adhering to rigorous environmental standards (CALLE et al, 2013). Therefore, incentives and financial instruments are needed to promote the large-scale adoption of SPS.…”

“…However, a true change in the paradigm of tropical cattle ranching requires that adoption of SPS happens at a relevant scale. Scaling-up has been defined as bringing more benefits to more people, more quickly and more lastingly CALLE et al, 2013). In the case of SPS, the first step to scale up the transformation of cattle-based forms of land use is a cultural and intellectual shift by farmers, scientists, educators and politicians.…”

“…In the case of SPS, the first step to scale up the transformation of cattle-based forms of land use is a cultural and intellectual shift by farmers, scientists, educators and politicians. This change requires a combination of scientific and technological innovation, policy and economic and market incentives at all scales (CALLE et al, 2012;CALLE et al, 2013).…”

“…▪ Pilot farms: participatory research conducted in cattle farms to optimize SPS designs and management; ▪ Capacity building: training and outreach activities to spread the principles of SPS among farmers, researchers, technicians, politicians and decision makers; ▪ Pilot Projects: to explore the role of different incentives such as Payment for Environmental Services (PES), technical assistance, soft loans and bonus prices, in spreading SPS; ▪ Influencing the livestock sector, farmer organizations and the public policy agenda using the success of the SPS experiences; ▪ Large scale projects applying the lessons learned in pilot projects to mainstream SPS in order to achieve landscape-scale benefits, enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation and open access for SPS products to green markets (CALLE et al, 2013).…”