Contents 3 Editorial

Sustainable forest management in the 4 Tropics of

Private Sector: Investments and 8 Opportunities

A tropical paradise Publication funded by the United Nations Drug Control Programme for enjoying (UNDCP) through project AD/BOL/99/D69, Linking Alternative ecotourism Development to the National Planning System, and published by the 12 Vice-Ministry of Alternative Development (VIMDESALT).

• General Coordination: Lic. Arturo Alarcón

• Front Cover Photographs: Actividades de Manejo de Bosques, Turismo, Actividades Undertaking new Productivas y de Planificación Estratégica Participativa de los activities to stimulate programas y proyectos de Desarrollo Alternativo. 17 economic development • Source: Vice-Ministry of Alternative Development and in the region AD/BOL/99/D69 Project

• Designed and printed by: Artes Gráficas LAVADENZ Calle Gustavo Medinacelli 2220 Telf: 242-3716 Linking Alternative NUEVO GRAN ANGULAR The articles in this issue do not necessarily reflect the views Development to of the institutions mentioned above. 21 planning Articles may be reproduced if the source is acknowledged. processes Free copies are available from the AD/BOL/99/D69 Project office: Av. 14 de Septiembre 5469 Calle 7 - Obrajes E-mail: [email protected] bold69@.undcp.org P.O. Box: 14973 La Paz - Bolivia 24 Micronews

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Farming AD/BOL/99/D69 Project and Rural Development Linking Alternative Development Vice-Ministry of Alternative Development to the National Planning System And today

This issue completes a cycle of propagation of the achievements and progress of Alternative Development and Eradication of Coca Leaf Crops through the publication of twelve issues of Nuevo Gran Angular, responsibility of the AD/BOL/99/D69 Project – Coordination of Alternative Development with the National Planning System.

Considering that communication, propagation and information are aspects of primary importance, the Vice Ministry of Alternative Development and the PNUD have published the “Nuevo Gran Angular” in order to have a means of propagation to satisfy the requirements of the readers. This publication has been structured in order to inform on the diverse areas of the Alternative Development Process and Eradication of Coca Leaf Crops, addressing diverse topics such as productive processes focused on various phases of agriculture, agribusiness, markets, social organisation, private investment in alternative development, tourism, gender, environment and natural resources, farming technology, participative planning processes for development of the regions, coordination and dialogue among others.

This process has meant a great effort that the “Nuevo Gran Angular” has wanted to present and propagate so that its results and impacts are known and valued in their just dimension.

In this last issue of the present cycle, a selection of previously published articles, reflecting several important aspects of the complex process of alternative development, are presented.

Secure in the knowledge that the “Nuevo Gran Angular” will be continued in a new cycle and with the satisfaction that the AD/BOL/99/D69 Project mission to inform has been accomplished, we say good-bye till we meet again.

Dr. Marco Antonio Oviedo VICE MINISTER OF ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT Rational use of natural resources Sustainable forest management in the Tropics of Cochabamba

Forest management plans enable timber resources in the forest to be used rationally and sustainably, while communities receive greater economic benefits.

In the Alternative Development framework, for the of timber last few years in the Tropics of Cochabamba a new resources by economic alternative is being consolidated for the logging region’s producers. It involves adopting practices that companies and make renewable natural resources more sustainable: sawmills. They Forest Management Plans (FMPs). operated with no sustainability criteria whatsoever and exploited the From the very beginning, the multiple use forest in settlers’ forests without much benefit or profit for the the settlement area has been severely over-exploited. latter. This irrational attitude gave rise to a number This is not only the case in those areas set aside for of environmental problems in the region, such as water logging, but also goes beyond these to protected areas erosion, overflowing of riverbeds in the dry season, such as the Carrasco and Isiboro-Securé national parks, frequent flooding in the rainy season, loss of causing enormous damage to the environment as a biodiversity, etc. result. The fact is that the settlers, who came mainly from the valleys and high plateau, saw the forest as The forestry industry nothing more than an obstacle standing in the way of Although the forestry industry in the Department the expansion of their farmland. This was because of Cochabamba is one of the most important sectors they had little or no knowledge of tropical agriculture of the economy in the region, the logging carried or forest management. out in the natural forests of the Tropics of Cochabamba has left very few benefits for the area’s This pressure on the natural forests was due above all inhabitants. Settlers did not realise the true economic to the enormous economic importance that coca and environmental value of their forests either, as cultivation for illicit purposes acquired at the time. their only concern was to clear more land for their It was also caused by the uncontrollable exploitation crops.

4 OCTOBER 2002 ensuring the sustainability of forest resources. It enables rural communities, farmers and local groups with a FMP approved by the Forestry Superintendence to participate directly in activities to exploit, process and market forest products, in order to achieve greater economic benefits.

This mandate was adopted and applied by the "Management, Conservation and Utilisation of the Forestry Resources in the Tropics of Cochabamba and Transition Areas in the Yungas of La Paz" Project (AD/BOL/97/C23), known by the region’s producers as "Jatun Sach’a" (Big Tree in Quechua). By carrying out its forestry activities with organised groups, and especially since its second phase started at the end of 1997, the project has achieved significant promotion work to ensure that the Forestry Law’s mandate is applied by the region’s producers.

So far there are 33 FMPs supported by the project. There are still important areas of forest left in the region. They are at different stages of implementation. Most About 44% of the 534.000 hectares covered by the of them involve logging, having established two ways settlement area is classified as primary forest and 24% in which this is to be carried out. One way involves a as secondary forest. The income that can be generated public bidding round for the sale of standing timber, by sustainable logging in the region may create a strategy that enables private companies to participate. employment for large groups of people currently working These companies are also taking a leading role to in subsistence agriculture and living on marginal land. address the problems that they envisage arising in the future with regard to the supply of timber as the main Forest management plans raw material from the forest. The other way is for The Forestry Law Nº 1700 stipulates that before carrying logging to be carried out directly by the associations out any logging activity or burning the forest to enable themselves using mobile sawmills so that they can sell the land to be used for farming purposes, Forest semi-processed timber. Management Plans or Land Clearance Plans must be drawn up. A FMP enables economic, ecological and social Producers associations benefits to be obtained from the forest, guaranteeing that The producers associations working with the FMPs future generations will have the same options. This form have complied with all the demands and requirements of exploiting the forest is a new alternative for generating established by the Forestry Law. With the assistance income in the short term for the region’s producers, of AD/BOL/97/C23 Project experts, many of them are

OCTOBER 2002 5 currently carrying out their logging activities under strict planning and control, employing skilled labour and appropriate technology to prevent damage to the forest and ensure that the logging is sustainable. This enables producers associations to participate in taking advantage of forest resources, and it means that a large proportion of the income remains in the place of origin and thereby improves the communities’ socio-economic conditions.

The organisation of these associations has a small business focus. The project initiates a training programme on the different issues involved in logging, including targeted felling, chopping, cubing and dragging, handling of tree trunks, sawmill management, how to operate chainsaws, and types of cut. The objective is that the group involved will carry out these activities efficiently, preventing losses in what is produced. With the aim of avoiding losses of sawn timber, groups are given training in preventive measures and conservation, mainly in the handling of timber, anti-fungus treatment, stacking wood for drying and classifying timber for subsequent sale. FMP administrators receive training in accounting, management and marketing, so that they can manage the money, timber sales, payment and supervision of staff properly, as well as carrying out other management activities needed for the small business to prosper. Species selected In the FMPs many species are inventoried, but the only ones selected for logging are those for which there is currently a demand in the timber market and, of these, the specimens that have reached a sufficient degree of maturity to be logged. Species are classified into hardwoods (almond, tajibo, black verdolago and others), semi-hardwoods (jorori, black laurel, puca puca, sauco, sujo, yesquero, and others), and softwoods (mapajo, bibosi, ochoó, serebó and others). A FMP also details the potentially continue logging all the time, thereby optimising marketable trees to be protected until a second felling the use of machinery and improving technical and cycle and seed trees to ensure natural regeneration. administrative efficiency. To optimise logging, processing and marketing operations, negotiations Logging process are underway for neighbouring associations to In the Tropics of Cochabamba there are associations implement their FMPs jointly. The felling cycle in that have FMPs for relatively small areas and others a large FMP is 20 years, which means that 20 years with large areas of more than 1.000 hectares. For the after a logging area has been exploited it can be cut small FMPs, for example an area of 200 hectares under once again. Because machinery is being used all the the FMP, a logging cycle of six years is estimated, with time in large FMPs, it is cheaper to buy it than to a resting period of 20 years. hire it. The intensity of logging in productive forest is 50-60%. This means that 40-50% of the To draw up and implement larger FMPs covering marketable stocks are kept in place as reserves or areas of more than 1.000 hectares, it is possible to for the second felling cycle.

6 OCTOBER 2002 US$20.424, with a repayment period of one year. The cost-benefit ratio is US$1.68 for every dollar invested.

For FMPs in areas larger than 1.000 hectares more investment is needed. An investment of US$30.375 will produce average net annual income of US$11.061, including write-offs for depreciation and all the taxes demanded by law. When logging is carried out directly the internal rate of return is 27% and the present net value is US$64.063, with a repayment period of one year. The cost-benefit ratio is US$1.54 for every dollar invested. Forest sustainability and profitability As a result of the level of awareness they have reached of the forest’s real value and the management of renewable natural resources, communities are now receiving greater economic benefits from the forests on their land. This motivates them to conserve this natural resource with such high economic and ecological importance. The FMPs enable the forest’s timber resources to be exploited rationally and sustainably, since logging is a productive and profitable alternative activity that generates income immediately. To guarantee the quality of their products and the sustainability of the forest, the producers associations are managing their FMPs from a business perspective, using technical and administrative efficiency criteria. They are achieving greater productive, administrative and commercial efficiency that enables them to compete under equal conditions in the national market. With the support of the AD/BOL/97/C23 Project, production volumes are being consolidated and greater added value generated in the Tropics of Cochabamba. Integrating the associations both horizontally and vertically through carpentry workshops owned by the associations themselves and by private companies, in order to reach niches in the international market, is Financial indicators doing this. Timber prices on the national market have fallen since 1999 due to factors such as the crisis in the construction This focus on productive and environmental sector and the supply from forest concessions in Santa sustainability is undoubtedly generating immediate Cruz, Beni and La Paz. Even so, logging continues to economic income and other benefits particular to the be profitable and generates attractive levels of profit. forest such as biodiversity, the conservation of water sources, food, etc. It is also enabling the inhabitants For small FMPs where logging is carried out directly, of the tropical forests of the Department of shared between 20 families over 200 hectares for Cochabamba to take up and consolidate a forestry example, a relatively modest initial investment is culture that makes it possible for them to live in required. An investment of US$7.964 will produce harmony with their surroundings, ensuring that the average net annual income of US$6.572. The internal benefits will still be there for themselves, their children, rate of return is 79% and the present net value is and their children’s children.

OCTOBER 2002 7 Economic potential of Alternative Development activities Private Sector: Investments and Opportunities

The Alternative Development Programme seeks the sustainability of productive activities, whether these are carried out by private companies or producers associations in the Cochabamba Tropics.

Today, bananas are one of the most succesful crops for export and local markets.

The Cochabamba Tropics has enormous economic The natural ecosystems of the region offer potential as can easily be seen by the abundance of attractive possibilities for diversified agroforestry its renewable and non-renewable natural resources production through a combination of trees and and the growing experience by tourism and agro- crops, as well as production of forest products industries. from management plans. Also, national and international markets are opening up to the large Support to production and marketing increase the variety of alternative tropical woods grown in the region’s export capacity, thus helping to consolidate region. As far as non-timber products are Alternative Development efforts. concerned, palm heart already has a local and international market, and medicinal plants could Agriculture and be the basis for a small pharmaceutical industry Agroforestry run by local farmers and their families. Agriculture contributes significantly to develop-ment Fish farming is also an interesting and viable option. in the region. Bananas, for example, are now exported The region’s rivers contain a large variety of species to Argentina and northern Chile. such as "surubí", "pacú", "corvina" and others, which

8 OCTOBER 2002 Forest management plans ensure the sustainable use of forest resources. can be bred in natural and/or artificial ponds. This firms that export finished added-value products, such would generate a new source of income for the local as parquet and doors to Europe and the United States. population. El Mapajo plans and monitors forest utilization by employing qualified technicians and applying Producers Associations appropriate technology to avoid damaging the forest By providing financial support, capacity building and ensure its sustainable use. and training to producers associations, the Alternative Development Programme seeks to ensure In this case, the establishment of producers the sustainability of productive activities in the associations enables families to participate in the region. benefits and income offered from rationally using local forest resources. In this way, much of the income The Programme currently works with some 120 generated stays in the region and serves to improve producers associations. Considering that ten years social and economic conditions. ago, when Alternative Development Programme started, there were less than a dozen associations and Another clear example of the good work done by cooperatives, the process of building up these groups producers in the tropical region of Cochabamba is has been very successful. The associations supported the Ingavi Banana Producers Association (ABIB) by the Programme focus on the production of new which manages 477 hectares of banana plantations products: palm heart, bananas, pineapple, passion for the production of export-quality fruit using state- fruit, black pepper, agroforestry products, lumber, of-the-art production, harvesting and post-harvesting honey, flowers and handicrafts. technology.

Alternative Development support is provided ABIB’s principal markets are Santa Cruz (45%), Oruro principally through Revolving Funds set up for this (40%) and Cochabamba (15%). The association is purpose. The funds are used by the associations to planning to enter local markets in the departments start up activities in agriculture, agroforestry and of La Paz and Tarija. forestry. Marketing plans for the immediate future include The association El Mapajo is a good example of the continuing exports to Argentina (1,000 boxes per entrepreneurial development of producers in the week) and expanding into Chilean and Peruvian region. It processes and supplies timber to private markets to reach weekly exports of 3,000 boxes.

OCTOBER 2002 9 Gas, Oil and Energy The large gas and hydrocarbon reserves found in the area account for the presence of many oil companies Cochabamba Tropics. The department of Cochabamba has the potential to become a major national producer of these non-renewable energy resources.

Moreover, the thermoelectric plants located in the region produce electricity not only for the population of the Cochabamba Tropics but is also distributed to the rest of the country. Producers expand their technical knowledge with the support of the Alternative Development Programme. Tourism The tourist industry is taking shape and could The advantages of investing in the area include low become one of the most representative sectors of land prices and favourable climate conditions for the region, generating significant income for local the production of tropical crops. To this should municipalities. The national parks are already be added the strategic location of the Cochabamba visited by many Bolivian and foreign tourists who Tropics along the main national highway running are attracted by the wildlife, vegetation and between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz , and then magnificent tropical landscapes. on to Puerto Suárez on the border with Brazil and, in the other direction, to Desaguadero on the The expansion of the hotel infrastructure in Villa Peruvian border. The region’s production can thus Tunari is the first step toward consolidating tourism be easily transported to domestic and foreign as a profitable business and attracting new markets. investments to the region. The aim is to create a competitive environment that will boost service It is estimated that some US$ 30 million have so far quality. been invested in the region by private companies attracted by these advantages. Training and Investment The population of the Cochabamba Tropics is ethnically diverse, but possesses a great capacity for Marketing Support organizing itself to make decisions and implement One of the objectives of the Alternative Development actions. The presence of workers unions, producers Programme is to promote private investment in the associations and the participation of women in Cochabamba Tropics and provide support to the different organizations is decisive for resolving production chain, from crop management to product conflicts and implementing Alternative Development marketing. The region already supplies markets in projects. Europe, South America and the United States with its products, and efforts are ongoing to open up new Producers have gained sound technical knowledge markets. in crop and post-harvest management through extension and technology transfer projects. They Support to the private sector is crucial to help access also benefit from good infrastructure (cable capital markets and competitive technologies. The transport systems, packing centres, mobile lines of action pursued by the Alternative sawmills), year-round roads and markets for their Development Programme are therefore based on the products. following aspects:

10 OCTOBER 2002 The industrial production of palm heart creates jobs in the region. • Understanding of market demand in order to Some 8,000 boxes of bananas, weighing 22 improve product quality for the benefit of regular kilogrammes each, are exported every week to consumers. Argentina and northern Chile.

• Demand-driven production based on both An Incentives Fund and a Revolving Fund were set domestic and international markets. up to stimulate and increase exports. Ingavi B, a banana producers association, was able to invest US$ • Market segmentation to identify and occupy 25,000 in cardboard boxes for packing thanks to this specific niches providing commercial value to initiative. products. Andean Group, another banana producer of the • Diversification in the production of several crops region, has likewise benefited with US$ 25,000 from to provide producers with a greater number of the Incentives Fund. options.

Support to marketing also includes assistance in quality control practices. The method favoured is the Hazard Analysis and Control of Critical Points system that has proven to be very effective and will enable the region’s agroindustries to penetrate international markets by ensuring that they meet high quality product, packing and labelling standards.

Promising Crops Among the alternative products, bananas and palm heart are the crops with greatest potential for growth. In 1999, farm gate prices for bananas and palm hearts totalled US$ 5.7 million, representing 27% of the total value of the produce coming out of the region. Premium quality canned palm heart for the most demanding markets.

OCTOBER 2002 11 The Tropics of Cochabamba: A tropical paradise for enjoying ecotourism

The conservation of biodiversity, ecosystems and protected areas means that Bolivia is one of the most important ecological reserves in the world. The Tropics of Cochabamba is three of exceptional natural hours away from the city of beauty. For those who Cochabamba and four hours from enjoy coming into direct Santa Cruz de la Sierra. It is one of contact with nature and the regions with the highest level with ethnic groups or of biodiversity in the world, and native cultures living in represents an important ecological their own habitat, these The Tropics of Cochabamba has a large variety of fish species. reserve. It offers several attractions features make the region for different forms of tourism, but a genuine tropical paradise. Those who enjoy ecotourism can mainly for ecotourism and set out on treks along ecological adventure tourism activities, thanks Villa Tunari is the first town on paths, visit the Carrasco National to its tropical climate and unusual the way to the Bolivian Amazon Park to admire its diversity of flora terrain with a large number of region in the Tropics of and fauna, swim peacefully in rivers, streams and national parks Cochabamba. At the foot of the pools of crystal clear water, enjoy Andes mountain the extraordinary scenery, or watch range between the the large number of animals living high valleys and in their natural habitat. These are the Amazonian activities to delight even the most plains, nestling demanding of tourists. between the San Mateo and The tropical forest is another Espíritu Santo important tourist attraction. It is rivers, this town home to a number of communities offers a variety of working in a variety of farming, attractions and forestry, agro-industrial and activities to handicrafts activities. Most of these tourists from are the result of the support Bolivia and provided by the Alternative The "Reina del Enin" Flotel cruises along the Ichilo and Mamoré rivers. abroad. Development Programme for

12 OCTOBER 2002 dolphins or the daily life of the families living in the Tropics of Cochabamba.

• Puerto San Francisco This port is one hour away from Villa Tunari. It provides direct access to indigenous communities living in their own habitat and also to the Isiboro-Sécure National Park along the Chipiriri and Isiboro production, marketing and or rafting on turbulent waters offer rivers. extension. the visitor a unique and unforgettable experience. • Puerto Aurora For those who prefer adventure 90 minutes away from Villa Tunari, tourism, canoe trips to the forests Tourist Attractions Puerto Aurora preserves the in the north of the region, fishing There are a large number of tourist traditional features of a tropical in the numerous heavenly rivers, attractions in the Tropics of river port. Here tourists can also Cochabamba. The visit indigenous communities such ones described as the Yuracaré. below are some of the most • outstanding. Two hours away from Villa Tunari, this is one of the largest river ports • Canoe trips in Bolivia. From here tourists can and river board boats or barges going to excursions Trinidad (capital of the Beni This is one of the Department) and enjoy the most fascinating pleasant journey along the Ichilo ways to watch and Mamoré rivers. It is also numerous species possible to visit the indigenous The "Miriam del Río" boat leaves from Puerto Villarroel. of birds, river reserve of the Yuqui people.

OCTOBER 2002 13 This area has been awarded the category of National Park and Sanctuary. Other attractions in the park include the "Cavernas de Repechón" Wildlife Sanctuary with its guácharos (nocturnal birds which live in caves), the Incachaca Inca ruins, pre-columbian trails, and picturesque villages with colonial architecture such as Totora.

• Isiboro-Sécure National Park And Indigenous Territory This park straddles the departments of Beni (Moxos Province) and Cochabamba Machía Park is a project to rescue animals so that they can live in their natural habitat. (). It is a • Machia Ecotourism • Carrasco National protected area of exceptional scenic Park Park beauty, both in the unexplored This ecological park in Villa Tunari This park is in the mountainous mountainous region and on the stretches over an area of 36 hectares and sub-Andean region in the plains. It has exuberant vegetation, of tropical forest. It is home to a east of the Department of rivers and lakes, an unusual wealth wide diversity of plants (more than Cochabamba. It is an area of of wildlife (714 species, more than 120 tree species) and animals great scenic beauty, with 600 different birds), a huge (three species of monkeys living mountains divided by deep diversity of flora (3,000 species of in their natural habitat). canyons and valleys, fast-flowing larger plants) with an rivers, waterfalls and exuberant extraordinary abundance of • La Jungla vegetation. It is also characterised flowers, and archaeological sites, This is a small recreational by a high level of biodiversity. as well as being the home of the adventure park built by a local More than 3,000 species of larger Moxeño, Yuracaré and T’simane inhabitant. Tourists can walk along plants and a wealth of flora native ethnic groups. These features mean hanging bridges, enjoying to the region can be found in the that it has exceptional potential for spectacular views in direct contact park. the development of ecotourism. with nature. Protected Areas These are nature reserves with or without human intervention that have been legally declared as special areas under the protection of the state. The aim of this is to protect and conserve wild flora and fauna, genetic resources, natural ecosystems, river basins and assets of scientific, aesthetic, historical, economic and social interest, thereby conserving and preserving the country’s natural and cultural heritage. (Technical information on the National System of Protected Areas, SERNAP, 2000). The Protected Areas are home to a large number and variety of animal species.

14 OCTOBER 2002 constantly seeking to innovate, offering increasingly attractive products to enhance the prospects for tourism and thereby overcome the adverse situation they must confront when conflicts arise with regard to the eradication of excess coca crops. Convinced that tourism is the economic alternative that offers the most advantages for the region’s development, they are making a creative and decisive contribution to the consolidation of the Alternative Development Programme’s achievements.

The wealth of nature can be enjoyed along Nature’s marvels in Carrasco Park. ecological trails. Surubí Tourist Complex This is an interesting option for El Puente Hotel Hotel services tourists who prefer to stay near El Puente Hotel can be found at Villa Tunari is the main centre Villa Tunari. The complex the heart of 40 hectares of pristine for hotel services, offering a includes areas that are ideal for forest, 4 km away from Villa Tunari variety of hotels, guesthouses those with an adventurous spirit and at an altitude of 300 metres. and restaurants. These have very who enjoy camping, since they Visitors who enjoy ethno- special attractions to surprise can camp on the grounds of the ecotourism can delight in and delight both Bolivian and hotel itself. Those who enjoy panoramic viewpoints, ecological foreign visitors to the Tropics of treks and expeditions can walk trails and natural pools. The hotel Cochabamba. This section through the plantations of also offers guided tours in the describes some of the hotels that different crops being promoted Tropics of Cochabamba’s protected in one way or another provide by the Alternative Development areas and expeditions to the Ichilo evidence of genuine initiatives Programme, including palm river and Puerto Villarroel. These to contribute to the development hearts, bananas, pineapple, are fascinating experiences for of tourism in the region, trusting passion fruit and star fruit. They tourists with an adventurous spirit in its great potential for are accompanied on these walks who enjoy exploring. ecotourism. They are the fruit of by tourist guides who provide the ongoing investments made them with all the information A special feature of El Puente is by tourism entrepreneurs in both they need. This is something that it has set aside 20 hectares economic and human resources more than just an interesting exclusively for cultural and terms. These entrepreneurs are alternative. ecological tourism activities. An

Villa Tunari offers a variety of hotels, guest houses and restaurants. Natural pools with crystal-clear water.

OCTOBER 2002 15 completed, it is already possible to speak of a hotel that will provide all the comforts that can be found in the best resorts in the world. Thanks to the significant investment that has been made, this hotel will certainly be able to meet the needs and requirements of both domestic and foreign tourists who expect the highest standards.

It is envisaged that the Chapare Tropical Resort will be completed by the end of this year. It will represent a strategic asset for promoting the integrated development of this attractive Hotels offer delicious local dishes to tempt the palate of visitors. region. It will create about 2,000 indigenous family lives in the activities are always organised in new jobs directly or indirectly grounds of the hotel and is a way that protects the wealth of related to the tourism sector and involved in the forest management biodiversity in the Tropics of considerably increase the influx and indigenous tourism project Cochabamba. of tourists, thereby generating an called "Chiripe Jirano". The family average income of about US$12 takes tourists on walks along Chapare Tropical million a year. ecological trails so that they can Resort Hotel learn more about the culture of A hotel complex designed to meet The special features of this hotel the indigenous ethnic groups who international standards, the are real evidence of the private live in the Tropics of Chapare Tropical Resort will sector’s interest in promoting the Cochabamba. support the development of development of sustainable ecotourism in the heart of the tourism in the region and the Los Tucanes majestic Amazon region of efforts invested to speed up the Country House Bolivia, with its marvellous development of a legal economy Los Tucanes Country House is natural scenery, rivers and in the Tropics of Cochabamba. It surrounded by rainforest on the exceptional wealth of flora and is also undoubtedly a clear Panamerican highway, one of the fauna. demonstration of the business most important roads in the confidence that exists and the fact country. This complex supports Although the third phase of that investments in Bolivia are ecotourism in the region in a construction is yet to be well safeguarded. special way, having set up a handicraft workshop in the grounds of the hotel. As well as having the opportunity to exchange experiences with a family of Trinitario origin (one of the region’s indigenous ethnic groups), tourists can also admire the handicrafts they make by carving masks from balsa wood.

In common with the other hotels, Los Tucanes organises tours to the protected areas and the different tourist attractions in The opening of the Chapare Tropical Resort will be a driving force behind tourism this tropical region. Ecotourism development in the region.

16 OCTOBER 2002 Women in the Cochabamba Tropics Undertaking new activities to stimulate economic development in the region

Stimulating and reinforcing the participation of women in production, transformation and marketing processes will improve social equity and the living conditions of the entire population.

In the Cochabamba Tropics, women have setting up of producers’ associations. This allowed traditionally supported their husbands by them to join legal entities participating actively in organising themselves in different ways to the country’s economy. participate in farming activities. The region’s productive development is therefore the result of The associations, formed initially by men, cooperation between men and women, and indeed encouraged women to organise themselves in of the work done by the entire family as children groups or women centres within the associations, also participate when they are not in school. and develop productive activities of their own.

However, for years, alternative development Women participate in training, projects have focused mainly on providing farmers extension and technical with the social, road and productive infrastructure assistance activities needed to transform the productive characteristics In addition to this very important initiative taken by of the Cochabamba Tropics and develop legal the producers of the region, a "productive activities activities. Women did not participate directly in for women" component was added to alternative social and productive activities related to alternative development projects. The aim was to promote the development. For example, women were not participation of women living in the Cochabamba involved in extension, training and technical Tropics in extension, training and technical assistance assistance activities, which would have enabled activities and orientation for product marketing. them to work in areas other than traditional farming, generating additional income to support Numerous associations were formed by craftswomen, the well-being and stability of their homes. flower-growers, jam-makers, cassava-growers, bee- keepers and others. These associations enabled their Women’s involvement started in 1992, with the members to become part of the region’s economy

OCTOBER 2002 17 and participate actively in the new phase of from different communities in the Cochabamba consolidation of Alternative Development results. Tropics.

In the Cochabamba Tropics, the participation of Training is now provided on a continuous basis, women in productive activities is supported by principally in the Chimoré region where the several alternative development projects such as instructors, Clara Agreda and Gladis López, the CONCADE/USAID project. The aim of these were trained by the Alternative Development projects is to increase women’s participation in Programme. In Chimoré, women meet for productive activities and promote gender equality. training from Monday to Friday, either from 2 to 6 p.m. or 7 to 10 p.m., depending on their The results are easy to see. Now women are full time schedule. members of the producers’ associations they have their own voice and are allowed to vote (initially only The training courses last three months and the men could vote at the meetings of the associations) instructors report that women are very eager to and they receive training (also reserved previously learn and contribute additional income to for men). But the most important achievement for support their families. The instructors also say women is to have conquered new spaces to forge that it is very important for women in the their own development and support the well-being Cochabamba Tropics to be given the same of their families. opportunities as men to participate in the extension and training activities carried out by Women straw-weavers Alternative Development. The lack of knowledge in Chimoré and training is a major constraint to women’s One of the most popular activities among women development in the region. in the Cochabamba Tropics is weaving with straw. The straw is made from the jipijapa plant, a wild Association of Craftswomen palm tree that grows abundantly in this region of the Cochabamba due to favourable soil conditions. Tropics – AMACH Clara Agreda and Gladis López, straw-weaving The CONCADE/USAID project has supported instructors and founders of AMACH, explain that the development this is a of this craftwork productive since 1996 when activity, that is a group of simple, weaving recreational, and instructors was specially trained to pass convenient for on their skills to women, as it can other women in be combined the region. In easily with work 1998, the first in the home and asso-ciation of family wo-men weavers responsibilities. was formed with Until now, 200 members The jipijapa plant grows naturally in the Cochabamba Tropics. results have

18 OCTOBER 2002 been positive in terms of product acceptance in the local market.

The AMACH members value their work and have shown their ability to participate acti-vely in the productive systems of their communities. They are also aware of the need to promote their products in other regions of the country and, better still, beyond national boundaries. This will be the most effective way to provide coverage to all craftswomen affiliated with the association. AMACH members learn the art of straw-weaving.

AMACH has showcased its products in local and The CONCADE/USAID project supports international trade fairs with good results, AMACH, providing assistance in various aspects demonstrating that straw-weaving is a profitable related to product promotion and marketing, source of income. This is particularly true if the and helping members to identify potential more attractive international markets, such as the markets and contact buyers. The objective of United States and Europe where this type of this support is to ensure the sustainability of craftwork is very popular, can be reached. craft production.

Clara Agreda, President of AMACH, said that consolidating existing markets, expanding the exhibition stand, cultivating their own jipijapa plants, and setting up a central office for the association are among the actions planned in the short term.

Women cassava-growers Another productive activity that has raised a lot of expectations in the region is the production of wax – coated cassava, chivé (grated, fermented and toasted cassava) and cassava flour.

The 28 members of the Group of Women Cassava Producers, part of the Tunari Agricultural Producers’ Association (APAT), have been cultivating this alternative crop since July 2000.

The initiative taken by this group of women Women members of APAT grating cassava to make chivé. was supported by the CONCADE project

OCTOBER 2002 19 through extension activities. The women were come to play a very important role in Alternative trained in the different uses and benefits of Development. cassava. A good example of this is the Fruti Todas group For example, cassava that has been waxed - of women jam-makers. The group is part of coated lasts longer (approximately three weeks), the Association of Pineapple Producers – making it more attractive for consumers. This ASPROPI, in the Mariposas region. type of cassava is currently being introduced in markets in the city of Cochabamba with good Juan Loayza, the President of ASPROPI, says results. that ASPROPI members have welcomed the women’s initiative. They even used some Cassava flour and chivé are sold locally, within resources from the association’s revolving fund the Cochabamba Tropics, where the quality of to buy part of the equipment and improve the these products is well known. The current infrastructure needed to make the jams. limited volume of production is not enough to sell flour and chive on a larger scale in other Fruti Todas, a group of 20 women, decided to regions of the country. take advantage of the region’s abundance of tropical fruit (papaya, pineapple and passion The Group of Women Cassava Producers is an fruit) to make jams. They started operating example of unity and organisation. APAT in October 1999, supported by the Alternative members support the women by doing the heavy Development Programme and the work – cultivating the cassava crops. The women CONCADE/USAID project, who provided then make chivé and cassava flour to be sold in technical assistance, equipment and markets. technology.

Group members are very Now, Fruti Todas is able to active and enthusiastic about make up to 200 jars of jam their work. They plan to per day, with a monthly continue growing, together production of approximately with the Tunari Agricultural 4,000 jars. The market price Producers’ Association, by for each jar is US$ 0.90. The increasing pro-duction, jams are sold in the region penetrating new markets and and most recently in the enhancing product quality. cities of Santa Cruz and La For these women, the Paz. production of cassava derivatives represents a real Because these are home- opportunity for achieving made jams, they have no additional income to support chemical preservatives nor their homes and families. artificial flavouring. This makes them a high-quality Women natural product with an jam-makers interesting marketing Undoubtedly, women have Woman in the Chapare making jam with tropical fruit. potential.

20 OCTOBER 2002 In the Cochabamba Tropics and the Yungas of La Paz Linking Alternative Development to planning processes Alternative Development programmes and projects are linked into national planning processes with the aim of ensuring their long-term sustainability.

Participatory planning processes with civil society are being carried out at the municipal level in the Cochabamba Tropics and the Yungas of La Paz. Including Alternative Development in planning of times, mechanisms and activities in which the social processes at the national, departmental and municipal stakeholders participate actively. The aim is to make level implies the need to design mechanisms, allocate sustainable development and Alternative Development resources and encourage the political determination problems, potential, objectives, policies and projects of all the stakeholders involved to enable these processes compatible, both in the Cochabamba Tropics and in to become increasingly more efficient. the Yungas of La Paz. Linking these processes involves establishing a sequence To achieve these objectives, VIMDESALT, through

OCTOBER 2002 21 project AD/BOL/99/D69, “Linking Alternative Development to the National Planning System”, has put in practice different mechanisms to promote the inclusion of Alternative Development in the Departmental Development Plans (PDDES) and the Municipal Development Plans (PDMs) of the municipalities affected by illicit coca crops. These are the levels indicated in the National Planning System (SISPLAN). Making assessments compatible Assessment is essentially interactive, with social, political Course workshop for technical staff of municipal governments in the Cochabamba Tropics on the and technical stakeholders methodologies of the information, investment and project management systems. taking part. They identify the negative situations, Municipal Development Plans (PDMs) and Annual unfavourable conditions or dissatisfactions that Operational Plans (POAs). It also aimed to inform characterise the problems existing in a specific them of the objectives of linking Alternative municipality, as well as possible ways to address them. Development to departmental and municipal planning. The assessment is considered to be the systematic single analysis that enables social demands to be identified. With the cooperation of the Vice-Ministry of Public The Alternative Development Programme in the case Investment and External Financing (VIPFE), which of the municipalities affected by illicit coca crops governs the National Public Investment System (SNIP), addresses some of these demands. The assessments the training programme also included course- need to be coherent and consistent, and the reading workshops on the methodologies involved in drawing of reality made by Alternative Development should be up and evaluating projects, the Investment Information compatible with the assessments made by departmental System (SISIN) and the Project Management System and municipal level planning. It is important to (SGP). These were aimed at staff in municipal highlight the project’s belief that the assessment is government offices in the Yungas of La Paz and the being made of just one reality, but with socio-cultural, Cochabamba Tropics, in order to build their economic, political-institutional and environmental management capacities. characteristics specific to each municipality or department, as in the case of the Cochabamba Tropics The Alternative Development Programme’s planning and the Yungas of La Paz. experts also received the same training. It can therefore be stated that everyone is now using the same language Training programme with regard to procedures for planning, drawing up To establish the mechanisms linking Alternative POAs and managing public investment projects, in Development to the SISPLAN, the AD/BOL/99/D69 accordance with the norms currently in force in the project designed a training programme that country. included seminar-workshops on issues related to strategic planning, public investment and the In short, the training activities have been useful for formulation of Annual Operational Plans (POAs). institutional stakeholders and development The training programme was aimed at technical protagonists to learn about the objectives, procedures staff in the prefectures of La Paz and Cochabamba and results expected of this linking process. They and the municipal governments of the Cochabamba have also served to inform people about the Tropics and the Yungas of La Paz. The programme’s Alternative Development approach, which seeks to main aim was to make participants aware of the become an integral part of sustainable development integrated nature of the planning process, its links in each of the departments and municipalities with the different public investment management involved in this process. By working together in this systems, and the scope of the Departmental way, it will be possible to carry out actions leading Economic and Social Development Plans (PDDES), to the achievement of the objectives.

22 OCTOBER 2002 Reaching consensus that are implemented as part of the Intervention with civil society Strategy in the Yungas of La Paz. The AD/BOL/99/D69 project has established the mechanisms for coordinating with municipal Adjusting the Departmental and governments and civil society to ensure participation Municipal Development Plans by municipal development stakeholders. The project By linking Alternative Development to the SISPLAN participated actively in the dialogue between the central it will be possible to integrate objectives, harmonise government, municipal governments and small farmers policies and co-finance projects. This involves defining in the Yungas of La Paz and in the processes aimed at the activities to be carried out and their target groups reaching consensus in the region. The signing of of beneficiaries, and identifying the financial resources agreements has created a favourable climate for the to be used to implement them, whether these are voluntary eradication of coca crops. municipal, departmental, or projects funded by international cooperation agencies. In the Yungas region of La Paz social demands were identified in participatory planning workshops. These Making the objectives and policies of the SISPLAN had as their starting point the agreements signed by and Alternative Development more consistent means the Vice-Ministry of Alternative Development that the actions taken will be coherent, seeking to unite (VIMDESALT) and the Federations of Settlers. By departmental and municipal efforts with the aim of interacting with civil society, the project complemented targeting the courses of action taken at these levels. and updated the social demands aimed at Alternative Development in the PDMs of the region’s municipal Another of the actions taken by the AD/BOL/99/D69 governments. project to link Alternative Development to the departmental level is the inclusion of Alternative The project also identified what the State is supplying Development programmes and projects in the to the Cochabamba Tropics and the Yungas of La Paz Departmental Social Development Plan of the in the area of Alternative Development. This consists department of La Paz. of an extensive programme with major new additions. It will be constantly adapted and updated to ensure Alternative Development POAs that it is in tune with the new working scenarios that arise in both regions and in accordance with the new with a municipal vision Municipal Development Plans produced by the To ensure that linking Alternative Development to municipalities in the Cochabamba Tropics. New municipal development finds appropriate courses of priorities for investment can be deduced from these action, in July 2000 the VIMDESALT Planning Unit, plans. which is responsible for proposing operational strategies for the formulation of Annual Operational Plans The project has also established procedures for selecting (POAs) for the programmes and projects implemented and prioritising the Alternative Development projects by the institution, stipulated that the planning process for the coming years 2001 and 2002 should be aimed at municipal development. In keeping with its objectives, the project supported this process. It designed a methodology for the formulation of the POAs for the VIMDESALT programmes and projects, based on the Planning, Public Investment and Operational Programming Systems. This ensures that these in turn are integrated and systematic, targeted at the search for sustainable development in the municipalities in the Cochabamba Tropics. The formulation of POAs with a municipal vision, using a methodology specifically aimed at linking Alternative Development to the guidelines established in the SISPLAN, represents significant progress towards the formal Agreements being signed between the Federations of Settlers in the Yungas of La Paz and VIMDESALT, to complement the social demands set out in the region’s PDMs. integration of these processes.

OCTOBER 2002 23 MMicronewsicronews In compliance with the Technology; (iii) Financing; and Agreement 11 of the IV Meeting II REGIONAL MEETING ON THE (iv) Training. The following are of the Andean Committee for II REGIONAL MEETING ON THE an example of information to Alternative Development MONITORING OF ILLICIT CROPS AND be considered: design of the (CADA), held in La Paz, Bolivia MONITORING OF ILLICIT CROPS AND system, criteria, methodologies, on February 7th and 8th of this ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT exchange and management of year, through the invitation ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT information, cartographic made by the National evaluation, equipping, Commission for Development and Life without Drugs of Peru, the preventive aspects, insertion in the Interamerican Drug II Regional Meeting on the Monitoring of Illicit Crops and Alternative Observatory, operational criteria, database structure, Development took place on September 26th and 27th of September establishment of baseline, financing among others. 2002. - Each country shall undertake the commitment to prepare a This Meeting had the participation of the Delegates of Member diagnosis of the status of the implementation of technology and Countries of CADA; Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and organisation related to monitoring illicit crops and Alternative Peru; representatives of International Cooperation Agencies linked Development projects, as the basis of a future exchange of to the fight against drugs, Interamerican Commission for Drug methodologies. Abuse Control (CICAD), Agency for International Cooperation of the United States (USAID), United Nations Office for Drug Control - On the basis of the efforts being developed by member countries and Crime Prevention (UNODCCP), representative of the Andean of CAN, and in the framework of the Andean Cooperation Community of Nations (CAN), and professionals from different Plan for the Fight against Drugs and Related Crimes (Decision institutions. 505); propose to CADA that in its V Meeting, requests be submitted to the corresponding Ministries of Foreign Affairs In accordance with the agenda presented and the agreements reached to obtain the necessary financial resources in order to permit at the I Regional Meeting on the Monitoring of Illicit Crops and the sustained implementation and operation of the Information Alternative Development (held in Bogota on May 3rd and 4th and Analysis Centre, as a core component of the National Drug 2001),each of the countries made its presentation and after the Observatory. analysis and pertinent debate, the following recommendations were approved: - On the basis of horizontal cooperation, begin the necessary training process for compliance with the objectives proposed, - Request to their respective countries that in the V Meeting of making use of available resources and capabilities in each CADA, to be held on the forthcoming 30th and 31st of October, country, through an exchange of knowledge based on visits, data pertinent to the National Institution responsible for seminars, workshops, conferences and other modalities; in implementing the project for the Installation of an Observation order to sponsor technical enhancement and to unify the and Analysis Centre of the crops and alternative development methodologies to be used in the monitoring of illicit crops of be made known, including indicators and statistics derived from Alternative Development. their monitoring systems. The commitments acquired in this event shall be subject to analysis - On the basis of this information, a project profile shall be made during the V Meeting of CADA to be held on October 30th and 31st to include the following components: (i) Observatory; (ii) of this year. NEW PUBLICATIONS

PRAEDAC: PRAEDAC REPORTS – Results obtained Bi-Annual Bulletin during the 1998 – 2002 Publication of the PRAEDAC Management period Unit, where actions developed and results Publication that presents a achieved during the first summary of the results and semester of 2002, in order actions of PRAEDAC for the to improve the life development of the potential conditions of the of the Cochabamba Tropics inhabitants of the for the period March 1998 – Cochabamba Tropics are shown, particularly those of August 2002 in a joint effort Productive Infrastructure between the Government of and Social Works, Sanitation Bolivia and the European and Land Titling, Credit and Union. Natural Resources.