CONAF and Municipality of Loncoche Promote Establishment of Multipurpose Woodlots

Strengthening the sustainability of productive systems, diversifying peasant economies, and increasing the resilience of rural territories are some of the objectives of the collaboration agreement for the establishment of Multipurpose Woodlots signed between the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) and the Municipality of Loncoche.

The initiative considers the participation of 14 small landowners, users of the Indigenous Territorial Development Program (PDTI) of the commune, who will implement small forestry production units on their properties by establishing 200 native plants per beneficiary, reaching a total of 2,800 trees.

These woodlots will be made up of native species with melliferous characteristics and potential for obtaining timber and non-timber forest products, such as firewood, fruits, and honey, allowing the diversification of the productive matrix of the properties and generating, in the medium and long term, new income alternatives for family farming.

The regional director of CONAF La Araucanía, Héctor Tillería Flores, highlighted that "multipurpose woodlots represent a concrete alternative for rural families to diversify their productive systems, incorporating native species that provide economic, environmental, and social benefits. We are talking about recovering soils, protecting water sources, contributing to biodiversity, and, at the same time, generating forest products that can be used by the families themselves and their communities," he stated.

The implementation of these units seeks to respond to challenges such as soil degradation, loss of tree cover, and the effects of climate change, contributing to the recovery of fundamental ecological functions such as soil protection, water regulation, carbon capture, and the generation of habitat for wildlife.

In total, the project contemplates as expected results the establishment of 14 multipurpose woodlots, the planting of 2,800 native species with timber and non-timber potential, and the construction of approximately 3,500 meters of fences, generating new opportunities for rural families in the commune of Loncoche and strengthening the resilience of their productive systems.