Case Study

Transforming extensive cattle ranching in Colombia through Urochloa humidicola (CIAT 679): Productivity, soil restoration, and climate benefits

author(s)

Arango, Jacobo

themes
  • Crops for nutrition and health
  • Multifunctional landscapes
regions
  • Colombia
original file download
full citation

Arango, J.; Bastidas, M.; Costa, C.; Ruden, A.; Cardoso, J.A.; Rodriguez, L.; Matiz, N. (2026) Transforming extensive cattle ranching in Colombia through Urochloa humidicola (CIAT 679): Productivity, soil restoration, and climate benefits. Study LAC 2511. Rome (Italy): Bioversity International; Cali (Colombia): International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). 3 p.

A climate-smart livestock initiative at Hacienda San José in Vichada, Colombia, conducted between 2017 and 2025, transformed extensive, fire-based cattle ranching into a high-productivity, low-emissions system. Implemented with Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT forage improvement and technical backstopping, the project replaced savanna burning with rotational grazing and improved pastures using Urochloa humidicola CIAT 679, combining soil restoration, carbon monitoring technologies, and adaptive grazing management to boost productivity and climate performance.