RAÍCES PROMOTES CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE PRACTICES
IN OVER 5 THOUSAND HECTARES
IN WESTERN EL SALVADOR
AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE
RESTORATION
We aim for continuous improvement of soil and water resources at multiple scales through the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices, addressing challenges such as soil degradation, erosion, biodiversity loss, and agricultural sustainability.
At RAÍCES, agricultural landscape restoration involves collaborating with local communities to expand Water Smart Agriculture practices, aiming to restore over 7,000 hectares of degraded agricultural landscape in western El Salvador.
Our goal is to foster a critical mass of farmers applying conservation practices for agricultural landscape restoration in the region.
With the support of nearly 350 agricultural promoters, RAÍCES assists over 5,000 producers to implement regenerative farming practices.
Furthermore, we promote economic development that leads to integral human growth, seeking balance between productive agriculture and natural resource conservation while promoting people's well-being.
THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND RAÍCES ARE THE 350 AGRICULTURAL PROMOTERS WHO SUPPORT OVER 5,000 PRODUCERS
EXTENSION
NETWORK
In our program, the farmer comes first. Small-scale producers in El Salvador are the primary source of food for the population, facing constant challenges. In recent decades, traditional intensive agriculture has left the soils degraded, reducing the productivity of agricultural systems each year.
For this reason, RAÍCES has promoted a training and extension methodology that focuses on the permanent organization of agricultural communities. The program identifies leading farmers who can be trained as agricultural promoters. Together, promoters and program technicians establish Farmer Field Schools (FFS). FFSs represent a participatory and practical approach within the community, leveraging the experience and enthusiasm of farmers to disseminate knowledge and good agricultural practices. This promotes sustainable change in agriculture and rural communities.
As we have implemented FFSs in the territory, promoters have created a network among themselves to share experiences, manage collective purchases of agricultural inputs, and identify improved opportunities to market agricultural products. We refer to this network as the Robust Promoter Network. Currently, nearly 350 promoters are part of the network, supporting over 5,000 producers in RAÍCES intervention areas.
WATER SMART
AGRICULTURE
Conservation agriculture is based on practices designed to restore and improve soil health. This, in turn, benefits crops by increasing their resilience to adverse weather conditions, improving soil quality, increasing water infiltration capacity, and reducing the need for chemical inputs.
Acoording to FAO, key practices of conservation agriculture include minimum soil disturbance cropping systems, such as no-till farming, maintaining permanent soil cover, and crop diversification.
These good practices for soil and water conservation are both environmentally friendly and crop-friendly, allowing for the reversal of damage caused by traditional agriculture and generating short and long-term benefits.
We collaborate closely with local partners to apply and replicate these soil and water conservation practices. This approach enables us to achieve a significant increase in agricultural production and measurable improvements in ecosystem services.
GREEN MANURES
One of the most effective agricultural practices recognized for its efficiency is the use of green manures or cover crops, which accompany the main crop or are planted in fallow farms. RAÍCES has actively promoted the application and experimentation of various cover crops through Field Schools, establishing evidence of their effectiveness in multiple crops.
These crops, usually legumes, are cultivated with the purpose of being cut and incorporated into the same soil where they have grown. The main goal of green manures is to increase the organic matter content and nutrients in the soil. Additionally, they have the advantage of reducing runoff and erosion, improving water infiltration, and increasing soil moisture retention.
RAÍCES has developed a Green Manures guide to assist in the identification of the best cover crops according to the crop and soil needs, thus providing a valuable tool for farmers seeking to improve their agricultural practices.
