The Amazonian Chakra
The Amazonian Chakra is a traditional agroforestry system practiced by Indigenous peoples of the Amazon that combines a wide diversity of crops, forest species, and medicinal plants within the same plot. This model promotes biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of water and soil resources, food security, and resilience to climate change.
Country:
The Amazonian Chakra is a traditional agroforestry system developed by Indigenous peoples of the Amazon, particularly the Kichwa communities of Ecuador. It involves cultivating a wide diversity of agricultural, fruit, medicinal, and forest species within the same plot, mimicking the structure and functioning of tropical forest ecosystems. The system also incorporates water management practices that support water conservation, soil moisture retention, and natural hydrological regulation. By integrating food production with biodiversity conservation, sustainable water management, and soil protection, the Amazonian Chakra helps meet household needs while maintaining ecosystem health. It also preserves ancestral knowledge and strengthens community resilience to climate change and other environmental challenges.
Water use efficiency
Main theme:
Andean
Region:
2500 - 4000
Precipitation (mm):
Medium
Application difficulty:
1, 2, 6, 12, 13 and 15
SDGs impacted:
Gravity
Energy used:
70 - 90
Efficiency (%):
Rural
Sector:
It provides significant environmental benefits by conserving forest cover and maintaining a high diversity of plant and animal species. Its agroforestry structure supports soil protection, reduces erosion, and enhances fertility through the natural recycling of nutrients. It also contributes to water conservation and regulation by promoting infiltration, moisture retention, and the protection of water sources. In addition, it helps capture and store carbon, strengthening climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Furthermore, it preserves Amazonian biodiversity, improves ecological connectivity among ecosystems, and promotes the sustainable use of natural resources without requiring large-scale deforestation.
Expected environmental impact:
$1000 - $2000 / ha
Estimated value:
1- https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/63f71ae4-ffb7-46fc-9911-c8eb154a06da 2- https://worldwide.trias.ngo/es/noticias/las-chakras-amazonicas-el-renacimiento-de-una-agricultura-ancestral-y-sostenible-en-la-amazonia/ 3- https://www.pachamama.org.ec/noticias/cierre-proyecto-chakra-afd 4- https://www.fao.org/giahs/around-the-world/detail/ecuador-amazonia/es
Links of interest: