Conservation Through Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Market garden cultivation is an important economic activity in the Cerro Punta watershed of the Chiriqui province in Panama. Since the watershed adjoins the La Amistad Biosphere Reserve (LABR), this analysis looks at the impact of the agricultural activities on people's livelihood, as well as the ecology of the watershed and the ecology of the LABR. This paper also analyzes the potential of market gardens to support the conservation of the biosphere reserve. Analysis suggests that the current agricultural practices are unsustainable and ecologically destructive, due to high dependence on agrochemicals and inefficient irrigation and cultivation on steep slopes. If improved, farming can become sustainable and be an incentive for supporting the conservation of the LABR. It is thus proposed that The Nature Conservancy (TNC) invest in sustainable market gardens management in order to maintain land productivity, reduce ecological impact on the watershed, and reduce threats on the biosphere reserve. It is also suggested that the principles of sustainable agriculture be replicated elsewhere around the biosphere reserve so as to support local livelihoods and conservation of the LABR.

Key Words:

• Agriculture
• market gardens
• riparian zones
• watershed management