Silvopastures in Central America: PACA - final report

Silvopastoralism constitutes the predominant feature of the livestock production landscapes in Central America. This paper summarises the achievements of Silvopastures in Central America (PACA) project, clarifying how it contributed in a better understanding of the semi-natural pasturelands in the silvopastoral system.

The document demonstrates that the system consists of an agro-forestry practice that integrates trees with forage and livestock production. Yet, despite being the basal resource for the milk and meat production in the region, knowledge about these pasturelands has been practically non-existent.

Utilising the knowledge gained from the project, the paper draws the following findings:

• establishment of trees is limited by grazing and other practices aim at maintaining the herbaceous cover
• in the dry season, cattle prefer more shrubs and tree parts than in the wet season
• the way the practice is used is determined by the kind of agro-pastoral activity
• the socio-economic system that determines the choices and usages of trees in silvopastoral systems are complex
• the levels of adoption of silvopastoral systems and the benefits harvested are variable and there is a considerable potential for further adoption and profitability of silvopastoralism
• productivity of either semi-natural or cultivated pasturelands is mainly determined by the amount and the distribution of rainfall.
  

Conclusions and recommendations are:

• it is important to consider livelihood patterns, values, needs and objectives of each farmer group when designing strategies for the development of the area
• although medium size farmers use burning to improve the quality of the pastures, a better management of the herds would lead to a reduction in the need for burning
• capacity building in range management could be a good strategy to reduce the impact of fire in the area.