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In Canela, INFOR Conducts Workshop on Agroforestry and SWCM for Arid Zones

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• Aimed at Agricultural Communities facing water scarcity and soil erosion.

With the support of the regional Agricultural Secretary, the Illustrious Municipality of Canela, and the Forestry Institute (INFOR), an agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, a workshop was held in the commune of Canela. The event presented integrated technological solutions in Soil and Water Conservation Measures (SWCM) and agroforestry systems for sustainability and productive diversification in the Coquimbo Region.

The activity was led by the Regional Agricultural Secretary (Seremi) of Coquimbo, Christian Álvarez Alarcón, and the Manager of INFOR Diaguitas Branch, Sergio Silva Soto. It included the participation of professionals from various Ministry of Agriculture services, representatives of the Carquindaño Agricultural Community, and small-scale producers from Canela.

It is worth noting that the workshop’s objective, which also included a field visit, was to promote the widespread adoption of a silvoagricultural production culture. This approach aims to implement precautionary measures to prevent environmental degradation, mitigate the negative effects of climate change, improve competitiveness, and create conditions for a better quality of life.

The Regional Agricultural Secretary (Seremi) of Coquimbo, Christian Álvarez, highlighted INFOR’s work with communities, stating that it is "crucial for them to adopt these agroforestry practices with rainwater harvesting techniques and soil conservation measures to achieve positive environmental, economic, and social outcomes."

Meanwhile, the Manager of INFOR Diaguitas Branch, Sergio Silva, emphasized the collaborative work carried out with the Carquindaño Agricultural Community: "We have been able to establish a relationship of trust and joint effort, enabling us to implement technological strategies such as Soil and Water Conservation Measures (SWCM) and agroforestry models for sustainability and productive diversification."

"It is important to note that since 2021, the Coquimbo Region has been one of the most degraded areas in Chile, with 85% of its territory affected by severe to moderate levels of land degradation and water scarcity," Silva added.

Finally, the President of the Carquindaño Rural Women’s Association, Julieta Cortés, thanked INFOR for its support in soil recovery: "INFOR has made efforts to develop these topics with agricultural communities, and through our Rural Women’s Association, we have been able to carry out these highly relevant activities to restore the land and, in turn, benefit small-scale family farming."