Large-Scale Agroforestry Project - Amazon

Overview

Location: Santarém, Pará, Brazil

Description: This project implements large-scale agroforestry systems, integrating trees and crops, in the Amazon region. This approach promotes sustainable agriculture, enhances biodiversity, and provides socio-economic benefits to local communities.

Project Landscape

Key Features and Benefits

Environmental

• Combined Agriculture and Forestry Benefits: Agroforestry combines the benefits of both agriculture and forestry, optimizing land use and resource management.
• Enhanced On-Farm Biodiversity: Integrating trees on farms increases biodiversity, creating habitats for a variety of species.
• Improved Soil Health and Water Management: Trees in agroforestry systems improve soil health, water infiltration, and reduce erosion.
• Multiple Income Streams: Agroforestry provides farmers with diversified income streams from both crops and tree products.
• Carbon Sequestration: Trees in agroforestry systems contribute to carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change.

Biodiversity

• Habitat Creation: Agroforestry systems create habitats for various species, including birds, insects, and other wildlife.
• Increased Plant Diversity: Integrating different tree and crop species enhances plant diversity on farms.
• Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Support: Trees and diverse crops support pollinator and other beneficial insect populations.
• Enhanced Ecological Connectivity: Agroforestry systems can enhance ecological connectivity between fragmented habitats.
• Improved Climate Change Resilience: Diversified agroforestry systems are more resilient to climate change impacts.

Social

• Diversified Income for Farmers: Agroforestry provides farmers with multiple income sources, increasing economic stability.
• Improved Food Security and Nutrition: Integrating diverse crops improves food security and nutrition for local communities.
• Local Employment Opportunities: Agroforestry creates employment opportunities in planting, harvesting, and processing.
• Community Empowerment: The project empowers local communities by providing them with greater control over their resources and livelihoods.
• Sustainable Land Management: Agroforestry promotes sustainable land management practices, benefiting both people and the environment.

Potential Impacts

Environmental

• Careful Planning and Management: Successful agroforestry requires careful planning and management to balance the needs of trees and crops.
• Potential Increased Water Demand: Depending on the species and management practices, agroforestry may increase water demand.
• Pest and Disease Risk: Integrating trees and crops can create new opportunities for pest and disease outbreaks.
• Labor Intensity: Some agroforestry systems can be labor-intensive, requiring adequate workforce and training.
• Technical Assistance Needs: Farmers may require training and technical assistance to implement agroforestry effectively.

Biodiversity

• Tree-Crop Competition: Careful species selection and management are crucial to minimize competition between trees and crops.
• Invasive Species Risk: Introducing new tree species carries a risk of introducing invasive species.
• Species Selection Importance: Selecting appropriate tree and crop species is essential for maximizing biodiversity benefits.
• Wildlife Impacts: Changes in land use can impact local wildlife populations, requiring careful monitoring.
• Biodiversity Monitoring: Ongoing monitoring is essential to assess the long-term impacts of agroforestry on biodiversity.

Social

• Community Participation: Active community participation and buy-in are essential for project success.
• Implementation Challenges in Remote Areas: Implementing agroforestry can be challenging in remote areas with limited access to resources and infrastructure.
• Market Access: Access to markets for agroforestry products is crucial for economic viability.
• Social Inequality Risk: Equitable benefit sharing is essential to avoid exacerbating existing social inequalities.
• Ongoing Support and Capacity Building: Long-term support and capacity building are crucial for the success and sustainability of agroforestry projects.

Project Metrics and Links

Metric	Description	Unit	Value
Project Start	Project initiation year	Year	2023
Area	Total project area	Hectares	8,000
Estimated CO2 Removal (10 years)	Carbon sequestration potential over 10 years	tCO2e	80,000
Estimated CO2 Removal (20 years)	Carbon sequestration potential over 20 years	tCO2e	200,000
Estimated CO2 Removal (30 years)	Carbon sequestration potential over 30 years	tCO2e	300,000
Total Estimated CO2 Removal	Total carbon sequestration potential over 30 years	tCO2e	580,000

Links:

• Digital Due Diligence:
  Link to Due Diligence Document/Platform

• B3 Green Bonds Information:
  Link to Green Bond Information

• Verra Carbon Credit Registry:
  Link to Carbon Credit Registry

Changelog

• 2024-01-12: Initial project documentation created.

Contributors

• Manuela Souza (LinkedIn Profile)