Participatory Innovation Labs: towards sustainable agri-food systems

By: Neidy Clavijo, Luz A. Rodríguez, Alexandra Mañunga, Angie Bernal, Ana María Mesa (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana) and Martha Vanegas (Allianza Bioversity & CIAT)

In the Amazonian region, communities are co- creating solutions to reduce deforestation and improve the sustainability and resilience of agri- food systems.

The Colombian Amazon, one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, is facing severe threats due to deforestation and climate change. The department of Caquetá, located in the northwestern part of the Amazon region, has been particularly impacted by extensive forest loss, driven by the expansion of agriculture and livestock farming. This deforestation not only contributes to soil degradation and biodiversity loss but also increases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which exacerbate global climate change.

In this context, rural communities face the challenge of developing solutions that enable them to carry out their productive activities sustainably.

Agriculture and livestock, the primary livelihoods in the region often depend on practices that heavily rely on the intensive use of agrochemicals and deforestation to expand farmland and grazing areas. This has resulted in soil degradation and the depletion of water sources, negatively affecting both productivity and the region's ecological balance.

Living Lab in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia

Participatory Innovation (PI)

Participatory Innovation (PI) is a crucial approach to addressing these challenges. By engaging local communities in the creation of sustainable solutions, it not only supports ecosystem regeneration but also strengthens the livelihoods of rural families.

In La Montañita, Caquetá, farmers and community leaders are working hand-in-hand to co-create sustainable agricultural practices that will help restore their lands, enhance productivity, and lower GHG emissions. The PI process in La Montañita is being facilitated by Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, with support from the Agrosolidaria producers' organization, as part of the "Living Labs for People" component of CGIAR's Low-Emission Food Systems initiative, developed in Colombia by the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT.

This process in La Montañita is a great example of how local communities can take the lead, combining traditional knowledge with innovations that fit their social, economic, and environmental needs. Through participatory workshops, they are prioritizing practical actions to confront climate change and soil degradation, while also contributing to food security and the sustainability of their territories.

Prioritized Action Areas in La Montañita, Caquetá

Through a participatory approach, farmers and community leaders in La Montañita focused on four fundamental areas to reshape their agri-food systems:

1. Improving soil fertility:

One of the main challenges facing farmers in La Montañita is soil degradation caused by the use of agrochemicals and intensive farming practices. To address this, the communities prioritized the use of organic fertilizers and crop rotation as key strategies. Additionally, they highlighted the implementation of agroforestry systems that integrate agrobiodiverse crops with native tree planting, which enhances soil fertility, strengthens biodiversity, and increases the resilience of agricultural systems.

Highlighted innovations:

Use of organic fertilizers as a key strategy to improve soil structure.

Promotion of crop diversification and rotation to sustain long-term productivity.

In La Montañita, Caquetá, farmers are transforming their production practices to preserve biodiversity and build resilience against climate challenges.

2. Farm connectivity and structure:

Improving the connectivity and structure of farms was identified as a key priority to enhance the sustainability and agrobiodiversity of the agroecosystems. The community prioritized reforesting with native species and establishing nurseries with local resources to restore degraded areas and preserve ecosystems. The importance of silvopastoral systems was also emphasized, integrating trees and livestock sustainably to reduce pressure on soils and water sources, while improving farm productivity and resilience.

Highlighted innovations:

Reforestation with native trees to restore degraded land and recover water sources.

Development of community nurseries to cultivate native plants using local resources.

Implementation of silvopastoral systems to strengthen ecological connectivity and protect water sources.

3. Marketing of agroecological products:

The community also identified the need to improve the marketing of agroecological and low-emission agricultural products. They emphasized the importance of diversifying the range of products, including both primary and processed products, such as organic fertilizers, fruit- based sweets made from local varieties, and dairy products like yogurt. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of improving product presentation and quality by using biodegradable packaging, developing local brands, and participating in farmers' markets and fairs.

Highlighted innovations:

Diversifying agroecological products, including organic fertilizers and value-added goods.

Enhancing product presentation and packaging with biodegradable materials.

Active participation in local fairs and markets, and the development of local agroecological brands.

4. Training Agenda:

The community also proposed a training plan to enhance their knowledge and skills around the three key areas mentioned above. The highlighted topics included:

Farm connectivity and structure: Conservation of water sources, selection of native seeds, and soil preparation.

Soil fertility: Production of organic fertilizers, use of biofertilizers, implementation of agroforestry systems, and biodigesters.

Marketing strategies for agroecological products: Management of biofactories and nurseries, product processing, manufacturing practices, and biodegradable packaging.

Participatory Workshop in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia

A Sustainable Future in La Montañita

PI allows communities to design solutions for their immediate challenges while building long-term resilience. By integrating local knowledge with sustainable practices, the farmers of La Montañita are developing agri-food systems that enhance productivity while restoring their environment.

This approach offers multiple benefits for communities:

Community empowerment: Communities become the main agents of change in their territories, designing solutions that respect their cultural and ecological contexts.

Long-term sustainability: The co-created practices do not rely on expensive technologies or external inputs, making them more accessible and sustainable.

Reduction of GHG emissions:By reducing dependence on agrochemicals and promoting agroecological practices, farmers contribute to the mitigation of GHG emissions.

The PI approach in La Montañita, Caquetá, has emerged as an effective tool for addressing the challenges of climate change. By collaborating with local communities to co-create agroecological solutions, a more resilient future is being established, where agri-food systems not only guarantee food production but also safeguard biodiversity.

This participatory process demonstrates how rural communities can lead the way toward more sustainable, regenerative, and low-emission food systems.

La Montañita, Caquetá, innovation is rooted in the community, where farmers are redesigning their territories to build a sustainable and resilient future.

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