Volunteer Asignment: Soil Rehabilitation and Conservation
ACDI/VOCA'S 500th volunteer gets his hands dirty in the Yungas
After successfully completing four natural resource-related assignments for ACDI/VOCA in the Yungas, Edgar Palma returned in February 2005 to lend his expertise in developing the natural resource management systems in Central Nueva Collasuyo, La Asunta. With a degree in agronomy from Guatemala’s National Center of Agriculture, Palma developed his skills in agronomy, rural extension programs, agro-ecology, and management of micro-river basins through his work experience. Additionally, his extensive knowledge of the Yungas region and multiple years of experience with ACDI/VOCA-Bolivia make Palma an extraordinary volunteer consultant who contributes greatly to the technical assistance provided through the YCADF.
Palma strove to increase understanding of erosion in the Yungas in order to prevent the complete deforestation of fertile lands, similar to what has happened in areas surrounding La Asunta. The varying altitudes of plots make them susceptible to water erosion and the extractive qualities of the coca plant cause disruption to the natural hydrologic cycle of farm lands. In order to preserve the land and increase profitability, Palma developed a strategy using agroforestry techniques for the recuperation, management, and conservation of soil.
While searching for licit, profitable, and sustainable economic alternatives to coca production, Palma’s program served as a tool for planning the future economic development of Yungas communities and as a guide for the formation of productive projects. Mr. Palma developed botanical descriptions of the use and properties of wild fruits, forest, and medicinal species that exist in the area. Additional efforts included leading workshops and writing a manual on the values of resource conservation (land, water, biodiversity, etc.). Palma also identified the opportunity for increased mandarin production profitability, due to the location and altitude of the orchards in Central Nueva Collasuyo.
The dedication, enthusiasm, and expertise that Mr. Palma has shared with the people of the YCADF through this assignment, as well as through his four previous assignments, has helped improve the quality of lives of Yungas residents, establish environmental stability in the region, and encourage coca reduction. It is both significant and fit that Palma served as ACDI/VOCA-Bolivia’s 500th volunteer since VOCA first began work in Bolivia in 1972. We look forward to working more with Palma through future volunteer assignments.
