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Juan Carlos Montero, Paulina Campos, Benno Pokorny, Lisa Hoch & James Johnson

The encounter between local and professional knowledge regarding tree growing in the southwest Amazon: An opportunity for collaboration or a platform for misunderstanding?. Juan Carlos Montero, Paulina Campos, Benno Pokorny, Lisa Hoch & James Johnson.

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Juan Carlos Montero, Paulina Campos, Benno Pokorny, Lisa Hoch & James Johnson

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  1. The encounter between local and professional knowledge regarding tree growing in the southwest Amazon: An opportunity for collaboration or a platform for misunderstanding? Juan Carlos Montero, Paulina Campos, Benno Pokorny, Lisa Hoch & James Johnson

  2. Small farmers in the Southwest Amazon • Types of Small farmers: • Indigenous populations • Traditional dwellers • Migrants

  3. Company initiated Donor driven Small farmers initiatives Tree growing types and schemes (after Hoch et al in press) Participation of professionals • High Value Timber Plantations • Fast-growing timber plantations • NTFP plantations • Agro-Forestry systems • Enrichment plantations • Home gardens • Single tree growing

  4. Problem Statement • Modest success in forest plantations: abandonment, high mortality rates • Hypothesis: Considerable potential for misunderstanding between professionals and small farmers • Way professional knowledge is communicated (One – way transfer) • Different cognitive structures between both groups (background knowledge, language, attitudes)

  5. Objective • Explore knowledge exchange between professionals and small farmers • Focus on the three fundamental elements considered for tree growing: • species used • purposes and criteria of tree growing • silvicultural practices employed

  6. Study Region Bolivia: 8 villages in the region of Riberalta and Cobija Brazil: 3 villages around Xapuri Peru: 5 rural communities around Pucallpa and Puerto Maldonado Data Collection Semi-structured interviews to 25 professionals and 25 small farmers Methodological Approach

  7. Results

  8. Evidences of collaboration Used tree species • 90 registered tree species: • 62 species (69 %) native • 28 species (31%) are exotic. • From the total: • 52% fruit trees • 25% timber trees • 10% medicinal use • 13% different uses as craftwork, rustic constructions, household utensils and industrial extraction.

  9. Evidences of collaborationUsed tree species (2) High level of adoption by the small farmers of promoted species, even when they are exotic. Not a clear understanding between actors but it provides a basis for learning and adapting!

  10. Evidences of collaborationSilvicultural Practices (1) Small holders copy, try and test before the final adoption. Evidences of trial and test confirm their understanding of these techniques!

  11. Evidences of collaborationSilvicultural Practices (2) Small farmers implement most promoted silvicultural techniques combined with own traditional practices, which reflects an understanding and adoption of these practices.

  12. Evidences of MisunderstandingPurpose for tree growing The different reasoning behind tree growing leads to a misunderstanding between professionals and small farmers

  13. Evidences of misunderstandingCriteria for species selection In the absence of a joint species selection process, there seems to be a problem of misunderstanding. Small holders tend to accept the package of species recommended by the professionals but that doesn't guarantee the adoption of these species in the long run

  14. Final considerations • All small farmers have some experience with tree planting, especially in home gardens and in production systems for self-consumption • Small farmers copy, test and adapt techniques promoted by the professionals. This process is key for developing of a sense of ownership in the initiative, and enables cooperation • Misunderstandings are related to different levels of knowledge, experience and perceptions • Limited evidence was found on the adoption of local practices by professionals

  15. Key messages • Strengthen endogenous practices and initiatives for tree growing and the exchange of knowledge instead of transferring technology packages. • Design more flexible frameworks for projects and switch to a more continuous and long term assistance to local farmers

  16. Thank you for your attention!! Further information: http://www.waldbau.uni-freiburg.de/forlive/Home.html Juan Carlos Montero [carlos.montero@waldbau.uni-freiburg.de] Institue of Silviculture, University of Freiburg Paulina Campos [camposm.paulina@gmail.com] MSc. Environmental Governance Program, University of Freiburg

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