Agroforestry at Tome-Acu in Brazil: description (CS)

Question 1

Provide a description of farms in Tome-Acu

Answer 1

• 200 small farms producing a range of cash crops.
• Farms are usually between 100-150 hectares in size and are divided into sub-units of 1-4 hectares.
• At any one time, less than half the of the farm is in use with secondary forest re-growing on the non-productive land.
• the aim is to mimic the structure of the Amazon rainforest

Question 2

Give a description of the crops in Tome-Acu

Answer 2

-They are established on damaged forest/nutrient deficient oxisols
-Canopy layer crops (protection of plants below): Citrus fruits, coconut trees, rubber trees
Shrub layer crops: Cacao and black pepper are inter-planted with ground vegetables and herbs.
-As many as 25 different species may be grown in one farm.

Question 3

Give a description of the CAMTA program in Tome-Acu

Answer 3

• Products are marketed through a cooperative called CAMTA.
• CAMTA provides seeds, fuel and fertiliser at lower costs and develops new markets.
• CAMTA’s fruit pulping and freezing plant maintains a healthy income for these small farms (markets such as Europe, USA, and Japan)

Question 4

Give a description of farm functioning in Tome-Acu

Answer 4

• Recycling of organic material including weeds and waste by-products such as cacao husks
• Levels of cooperation between farmers are good with crops from one farm being used as foodstuffs for animals on others and animal waste being recycled to increase soil fertility on farms.
• Some farmers plant valuable timber species, such as Mahogany, Rosewood, and Jacaranda even though it will be decades before their descendants will gain and income from these.