EcoFarmers: Strengthening AE food supply in the Kanata Metropolitan Region

Lead Organization:

ONG Ciudadanía, Comunidad de Estudios Sociales y Acción Pública

Partner Organizations:

Institute for South American Rural Development (IPDRS) (consumer component in the RMK); Producers and community intermediaries in identified fairs, including Quillacollo Fair and two additional fairs in the RMK; Municipal governments of the RMK (specifically those connected to the fairs where the project operates); Cochabamba departmental government; University; National Service of Agricultural Safety and Food Safety (SENASAG), with contact María Garcia Poveda Alarcón; Networks: Bolivian Agroecological Movement (MAB), National Soil Platform (PNS), Cochabamba Regional Soil Platform, and associated institutions; Other civil organizations such as youth groups, activists, and local movements

Community of Practice:

Andes

Countries:

Bolivia

Duration:

12/2024—12/2027

Overview:

The EcoFarmers project builds on learnings from the EcoConsumo project (2016-2023), focusing on enhancing the agroecological (AE) food supply in the Kanata Metropolitan Region (RMK) of Cochabamba. The project aims to increase AE food production and supply in popular fairs, where the supply of AE foods is currently low, by involving producers, community intermediaries, and other food system actors. This will be achieved through capacity-building initiatives, competitive funds for innovative actions, and increased collaboration with local and national stakeholders. The project also emphasizes the importance of information sharing, community intermediation, and organic waste management.

Grant Aims:

The primary aim of the project is to strengthen agroecological food systems in the RMK by increasing the AE food supply and advancing the transition to AE practices among producers. This will be achieved by engaging a wide range of local actors, including producers, community intermediaries, and municipalities, and promoting innovative strategies such as community intermediation, competitive funds, and AE information campaigns. The project will also explore the impact of organic waste management at popular fairs and analyze the pesticide residue levels in market foods.

Outputs and Outcomes:

Outputs

  1. Literature Review and Local Studies: Comprehensive review of existing studies and literature on topics such as community intermediation, organic waste management, and practices for reducing pesticide use in food, which will inform project actions.
  2. Evaluation of AE Supply: Baseline and final assessments of the AE food supply at markets, through perception studies among producers and consumers.
  3. Competitive Fund Initiatives: Implementation of competitive funds to encourage innovative actions to strengthen AE production and supply, contributing to AE system sustainability.
  4. Pesticide Residue Analysis: Collaboration with local and regional initiatives to analyze synthetic pesticide residues in market foods through citizen participation, with comparisons to studies in Ecuador and Peru.
  5. AE Information Booth: Implementation of an AE information booth at fairs to provide producers with accessible information about AE practices, addressing common doubts and increasing knowledge.
  6. Organic Waste Management Actions: Promotion of organic waste management at fairs, with prior information to engage municipal authorities and citizens in creating sustainable practices.

Outcomes

  1. Increased AE and Cleaner Food Supply: A notable increase in the availability of AE and cleaner foods in popular fairs as part of strengthening the agroecological food system in the RMK.
  2. Capacity Building of Producers: Increased producer capacity to reduce agrochemical use and transition toward AE practices.
  3. Community Intermediaries: Establishment of community intermediaries who will facilitate the sale of AE foods at fairs and ensure better access for consumers.
  4. Active Participation of Partners and Allies: Involvement of key partners and allies in promoting AE and contributing to territorial scaling in the RMK.
  5. Sustainability of Organic Waste Management: Long-term sustainability of organic waste management practices at fairs, supported by municipal and citizen involvement.