Case Study

Alliance's regenerative agroforestry systems rehabilitating degraded cacao landscapes in the Amazon

author(s)

Ivanova, Yovita

themes
  • Multifunctional landscapes
regions
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • Peru
original file download
full citation

Ivanova, Y.; Robiglio, V.; Espinoza, L.; Leon, V.; Parra, E.; Borbon, R.; Thomas, E.; Sanchez, J.; Pareja, P. (2026) Alliance's regenerative agroforestry systems rehabilitating degraded cacao landscapes in the Amazon. Study LAC-2570. Rome (Italy): Bioversity International; Cali (Colombia): International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). 3 p.

The Regenerative Cacao Agroforestry (ARC) project (2021– 2025) in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru addressed cacao-driven land degradation by converting exhausted cacao plots and pasture into regenerative agroforestry (SAF cacao) systems. Led by the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT with CIFOR-ICRAF, Conservation International, and producer cooperatives, the initiative established a scalable rehabilitation pathway that links soil restoration, farmer adoption, and institutional learning to prevent agricultural expansion into forests.