Characterization of traditional agroforestal systems in the South Pacific of Colombia, departrament of Nariño

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in the municipality of Tumaco, department of Nariño, in the Mejicano river Community Council located at 1°40´50 ”North Latitude and 78°31´11” West Longitude of Greenwich. The objective of the work was to characterize traditional agroforestry systems and propose agroforestry options based on local reality afterwards. For that reason, a survey was applied to the producers that allowed the identification of traditional production systems; The most widespread agroforestry arrangement on the Mejicano river is the Silvoagrícola, that consist of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and Banana (Musa sapientum), fruit trees and timber; The most important forest species in the system is the Cedar (Cedrela odorata) and the fruit trees. The most frequently found are citrus fruits (Orange and Lemon), which give the system special aroma and flavor characteristics. According to the results of the investigation, it is proposed to implement agroforestry silvoagricultural systems based on the species of Cocoa, Banana and Timber. That can be reached by technical improvement of current traditional systems.