DOMINICAN INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL, CATTLE-GRAZING, AND FOREST RESEARCH (IDIAF)
PLAN SIERRA
DOMINICAN COFFEE COUNCIL (CODOCAFE)
LOS DAJAOS FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION (ASADA)
PROPOSAL
PART 1
1. Title of the component:
“Development of the Fincas of Los Marranitos and El Dulce”
2. PRINCIPAL SUBCOMPONENTS:
Management of hydrografic basins, organic systems, protection of biodiversity,
evaluation of environmental services, ecotourism, training, diversification of
revenues, community integration.
3. COST OF THE COMPONENT:
SOURCES TOTAL
TOTAL COST (U.S. $) 149, 209
PART 2
4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT:
4.1 PROBLEM AND/OR OPPORTUNITY:
The Alta Gracia Foundation has put at the disposal of IDIAF two fincas in order
to establish a demonstration experiment in integrated agroecological farms, in
cooperation with the comunities of the area. The farms are located in Los
Marranitos and in Arroyo El Dulce with an area of 75 and 32 ha (1,200 and 500
tareas) respectively. In both parcels coffee is produced in organic
systems. At Los Marranitos there are about 10 ha (160 tareas) and at El
Dulce 12.5 ha (200 tareas) planted in coffee. This coffee is sold under
the label “Café Alta Gracia” in niche markets in the United States.
In addition to coffee, the fincas have about 87 ha (1400 tareas) on which can be found diverse forest species, such as pine and gravilea, among others. There are areas covered with scrub which can be incorporated into a system of agroforestry production. In these lands, flow various streams that have a lot of importance from the point of view of supplying the community in general and particular businesses.
On the fincas, there has been developed, still at a very modest level, an experiment in agroforestry diversification. Within the coffee groves can be found fruit trees, pine, cedar, guama [sic/=fruit of a tree (guamo) related to mimosa; misspelling of guamá (=a timber tree], gravilea, musáceas [plants related to bananas], and others. The finca of Los Marranitos has infrastructure, including lodging facilities for 30 people, which would allow for the development of technological training or general development activities, for the establishment of ecotourism activities or the creation of an important meeting place for the community of Los Dajaos. There are spots with excellent panoramic vistas for the establishment of overlooks. It also includes an organic fertilizer production area.
The agroforestry systems, with coffee, timber, fruit trees, bananas, yautia [a tropical tuber], ornamentals and other types, under organic production as well as the establishment of forest grazing systems, under the concept of agroecological production, can meet in these locations all the conditions for their successful realization as an research experience, as an educational experience, and above all as an experiment in community development.
4.2 OBJECTIVES:
General: To develop a pilot experiment on the management of farms with an agroecological focus.
Specific:
To carry out a detailed survey of the characteristics of the fincas with a view to using them for the research, training, and demonstration.
To manage the coffee plantations in accordance with the technological requirements of organic systems.
To establish parcels for reforestation in order to protect the areas that replenish the aquifers and to produce timber.
To diversify the economic revenues through improved agroforestry systems, with the incorporation of timber trees, fruit trees, and the raising of farm animals.
To improve the infrastructure of the farms.
To reach out to the community in the offering of goods and services, and in the economic benefits of the farms.
To evaluate and develop the agro- and ecotourism potential of the fincas.
4.3 ACTIVITIES:
Survey of the farms
a. Soil studies
b. Study of the biodiversity
c. Creation of a georeference database
d. Proposal for use of the farm (infrastructures, production, protection, ecotourism…)
Management of the coffee plantations
a. Shade and weed control
b. Soil? Matrix? [tejido] management
c. Conservation practices
d. Organic fertilizing
e. Harvest
f. Post-harvest management
g. Replanting
h. Varietal garden
3. Reforestation parcels
a. Establishment and operation of nurseries
b. Establishment of parcels (pine, gravilea, cedar, cypress, capa [kind of tree, I have to assume], oak, cabirma [?], memiso[?], bamboo, and others)
c. Evaluation of the behavior [?] of the established species
4. Diversification of revenues
a. Production and research units for timber associated with crops (coffee, citrus, avocado, macadamia, guanabana, peach, creole pear, prunes, litchee, musaceas, yautia)
b. Production and research units for organic fertilizer
c. Production and research units for organic food crops (asparragus, mushrooms, bamboo)
d. Production and research units for spices (cinnamon, pepper, vanilla, and others)
e. Unit for research and raising of farm animals (goats, rabbits, turkeys, guinea fowl, and ducks)
5. Improvement of infrastructure
a. Repair of roads on property
b. Construction of a gathering center [warehouse?]
c. Construction of a coffee beneficio [processing center]
d. Water supply
e. Repair of the training center and the dormitory areas
f. Establishment of an information, documentation, exhibition, and sales area
g. Establishment of an alternative energy center
6. Community outreach
a. Creation of an Administrative Council with community representation
b. Workshops for planning the farms and their relationship to the community
c. Training program oriented toward community development
· Integrated coffee management
· Forest planting management
· Cultivation systems
· Ecotourism
· Environmental education
d. Documentation and information center
7. Evaluation and development of ecotourism potential
a. Establishment of scenic overlooks
b. Establishment of butterfly house
c. Establishment of agro/ecotourism trails