CIENPINOS Project Held Symposium on Climate Governance and Sustainable Agroforestry in Cuba

• The project is executed by CATIE and the Indio Hatuey Experimental Pastures and Forages Station.

The project "Municipal Climate Governance and Sustainable Agroforestry Production of Low-Emission, Climate-Adapted Food in Cienfuegos and Pinar del Río, Cuba" (CIENPINOS) had a prominent participation in the VII International Agrodevelopment Convention 2024, held in Varadero from October 21 to 25.

The Convention, hosted by the Indio Hatuey Experimental Pastures and Forages Station, brought together experts and representatives from various countries to discuss key issues related to sustainable agricultural development and food security in the region.

The CIENPINOS project is implemented by the Agroforestry and Genetic Improvement Unit for Coffee and Cocoa (UAMCC) of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) and the Indio Hatuey Experimental Pastures and Forages Station (EEPFIH), with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). Its goal is to build capacity for municipal climate management and the sustainable, low-emission, climate-resilient, biodiversity-conserving agroforestry systems within the municipal governments of Cumanayagua, Abreus, Viñales, and La Palma.

Additionally, the project involves the value chains of silvopastoral goats in the Southern Circuit of Cumanayagua, as well as grazing pigs in the pine-oak forests of Viñales.

Training and Debates on Climate Governance and Agroforestry

CIENPINOS organized several activities during the convention, including a theoretical-practical course and workshop on remote sensing with sensors, taught by Sergio Arriola Valverde from Geokare Sustainable Technologies S.A. of Costa Rica.

A symposium entitled "Municipal Climate Governance and Sustainable Agroforestry Production of Low-Emission, Climate-Adapted Food in Cienfuegos and Pinar del Río, Cuba" was also held.

The opening keynote was given by Luis Fernando León Alvarado, an international consultant from Costa Rica, who presented on "Rural Tourism and Climate Change in the Context of the CIENPINOS Project and its Actions in Cienfuegos and Pinar del Río, Cuba."

Throughout the event, 12 oral presentations and 13 poster sessions showcased project outcomes. Topics discussed included municipal climate governance; climate change mitigation actions in ecosystems; climate behavior and goat farming systems; the potential of oak forests for feeding native pigs; botanical characterization of goat farms; feeding behavior of goats in forest and scrubland grazing systems; and an evaluation of the agroecological transition in the Southern Circuit of Cumanayagua, Cienfuegos.

The CIENPINOS delegation was praised for its contributions to the success of the event. Participants highlighted the quality of the presentations and the new knowledge gained, which will strengthen ongoing research.

CIENPINOS demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development and technological innovation in the agricultural sector, solidifying its position as a regional leader in Cuba.