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Project name: India Coffee and Pepper Agroforestry
Location: Araku Valley, India
Technology: Coffee and pepper-based agroforestry
Impact highlights: Biodiversity and ecosystem health, diversification and livelihood support, cultural and community well-being

Context: Ecological and economic struggles of monoculture plantations

The Araku Valley’s coffee and pepper plantations have long relied on silver oak tree monocultures. While silver oak plays a functional role as a shade tree for coffee plants and support for pepper vines, its dominance limits biodiversity and undermines long-term sustainability. The fast-growing silver oak has a high nutrient demand, contributing to soil nutrient depletion over time. This issue is compounded by the sloped terrains typical of coffee-growing regions, where the lack of diverse vegetation worsens soil erosion. These challenges result in lower productivity and a decline in the long-term sustainability of coffee and pepper farming, threatening the economic stability of local communities. This project addresses the need to adopt more sustainable approaches that incorporate a variety of native and ecologically supportive tree species.

Solution: Introducing a multi-species farming model

This project introduces an innovative agroforestry model that replaces the silver oak-dominated system with a diverse, multi-species plantation. By integrating native fruit trees like mango, jackfruit, and jamun, along with biomass-producing plants such as Glyricidia and Pongamia and protective border plants like agave, the model enhances both the ecological balance and economic value of the plantations. While silver oak remains a valuable component for pepper cultivation, its density is reduced by 50% to allow for a mix of native species, increasing biodiversity and improving soil health. This holistic approach promotes organic farming by offering new income streams through fruit and agave fiber production while protecting the farms from grazing.

Impact:

Biodiversity and ecosystem health:

This project enhances biodiversity by introducing native tree species and reducing the dominance of silver oak, creating a more resilient ecosystem. This promotes long-term sustainability and soil conservation.

Diversification and livelihood support:

Farmers benefit from additional income sources by selling diverse crops such as fruits or agave fiber, which boosts income and reduces dependency on coffee and pepper alone. This diversification improves economic stability for local farming communities.

Cultural and community well-being:

By aligning with local traditions and ecological needs, the project empowers tribal farmers, enhancing their livelihoods and cultural heritage. For instance, it promotes access to Fishtail palm sap, a culturally significant drink, and provides better agricultural resilience, improving community well-being.

To ensure the highest impact and project progress standards, independent third-party verifiers will closely monitor and evaluate all the impacts above. In addition, our team of project experts conducts regular site visits, reaffirming our commitment to maintaining exceptional project quality.