Mexico: Forest-friendly dairy farming in Chiapas
The cloud forests of Chiapas in southern Mexico have long sheltered subsistence farmers and their crops of corn and beans. But during the 1980s, there was a boom in dairy farming, which was far more profitable. Villagers let their cattle roam free in the La Sepultura Biosphere Reverse, with devastating consequences for the forest. And as the forest suffered, so did its people – from drought, and a decline in biodiversity and plants to forage.
The BioPaSOS project helps farmers to look after the forest, by adopting agrosilvopastoral techniques that mean cattle, crops and trees can thrive side-by-side. With support to fence in their animals and reforest their land, communities are able to protect their environment. And where once they sold their milk for rock-bottom prices, BioPaSOS has provided training in the manufacture of a variety of high-end cheeses, meaning profits are up.
A film by Aitor Saez
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Information
Language
English
Length
6,26 Min
Date of publication
2020
Country
Mexico
Project
Global Ideas
