Ganadería Colombiana Sostenible (Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Sustainable Cattle Ranching)

The objective of this project is promote the adoption of silvopastoral systems, which are friendly to the environment with a focus on improving ecosystem function in degraded landscapes. Based on lessons from previous projects, CIPAV has designed a program for small and medium scale cattle farmers. The program focuses on four strategies to encourage adoption: making low cost loans available to support silvopastoral system adoption; providing technical assistance; developing a system of payments for ecosystem services; and, developing markets for products produced by these farms and ecotourism on the farms. The program's goals are: 65,000 ha converted from degraded pasture to silvopastoral systems; 4,000 km of living fences; 15,000 ha of silvopastoral systems with a high density of trees, secondary forests, riparian corridors.