Business Overview
To combat environmental degradation and increase economic production in the community the people of Piriati established the Piriati-Poapono Model Farm business.
Model Farm - Piriati Embera, Panama
Economic Challenge
Unsustainable farming techniques degrade the health of the soil. When the soil becomes contaminated, whether through harmful farming practices or improper waste management, the wellbeing of those who depend on the soil is at risk. Techniques learned through the Model Farm are combating the unsustainable and environmentally damaging techniques that are commonly used throughout the region. The Model Farm Poapono is run by the community’s Environmental Committee and proceeds are shared amongst the members. As the farm expands and the members improve their diversity volume of products, the project
Date Established: 2012
The Environmental Committee is formed by 15 members and the Executive Committee is composed by:
- Sixta Quiroz (President)
- Guillermo Ramírez (Secretary)
- Fidelicia Guainora and Luzmila Bacorizo (Treasurers)
Business Solution
The Business
The Environmental Committee of Piriati Embera began a Model Farm in 2012, a sustainable agriculture project using multiple components and products to combat the degradation of soil, promote environmental and financial sustainability, and ensure food security. The Model Farm consists of two different sections: crops and livestock. Since 2012, Environmental Brigades have planted various crops and woodable-trees. By including livestock in the parcel of land, Environmental Brigades aims to educate and inspire other community members to use similar sustainable agricultural techniques on their own land. As the Model Farm continues to gain additional components, the Environmental Committee is looking to develop the self-sustaining nature of the project by using various components as sources of revenue. Currently, the plot of land has multiple products including coffee, plantains, cassava, wood trees, rice paddies, and a chicken coop, and will continue to receive more components over time.
Piriati Embera’s Model Farm is expanding to include new products, they are performing maintenance on previously planted crops, and previous projects, to ensure a successful harvest. The Model Farm includes a variety of crops, including coffee, plantains, yucca, and wood trees. It also includes livestock such as a chicken coop. The committee is currently evaluating the viability of a tilapia pond, and iguana nursery.
A traditional cultural house was built in 2015 in order to have a place for the environmental committee to meet, have workshops, prepare events for tourists, rest, store working tools and do some activities as a group. In the future, they want their model farm to attract people interested in Eco-tourist to visit their sustainable farm.
Next Steps
Page Last Updated:October 03, 2017