
VOLUME 3, TOPIC 15
A. K. Mukerji1
CHILEAN PALM: AN ECONOMIC ALTERNATIVE FOR SMALL PEASANT
PROPERTY ON DRY LAND
L. Alberto González1
Up until a few years ago, it was believed in Chile that the Chilean palm (Juabaea chilensis),
one of the species of national flora of great scientific value, was endangered on account of
its indiscriminate exploitation for the production of palm honey. Although it was certain that there
had been a decrease in palm populations, the true causes of its decline and, in some cases,
its disappearance, were quite different - namely indiscriminate harvesting and the virtually
entire consumption of its fruits.
In the light of current knowledge, the palm is a species whose propagation is achieved
without difficulty. In addition to its scientific and ornamental value, which is undisputed, it is one of
the native species of sclerophyllous forest with the greatest prospects and highest economic value
in the country. In fact, despite still featuring in the list of vulnerable species in Chile, this is a
plant whose cultivation offers great possibilities on account of its economic, ecological and
ornamental potential. The Chilean palm may be a species of vital importance for the economic development
of the country, particularly the central area, on the granitic soils on the coast and in unirrigated
areas inland.
Alternatives need to be sought, via more intensive cultivation, which accelerate germination
and the development of the species to convert it to an attractive alternative for owners of marginal
soils with low or zero productivity. In fact, this can be a resource of great interest for small
and mediumsized peasant property on land with no alternative use, since plantations of this
species require no grubbing and this can make extensive stockfarming possible; nor does it require
large tracts of land, since even a low level of production represents a food of great calorific value.
Chilean forests can no longer continue supporting exclusively exotic, fastgrowing
plantations. The focus of promotion needs to be the sustainable management of native forests and at the
same time the diversification of species to be afforested. It is precisely under this policy that
the development of the Chilean palm is to take place.
1 c/o Ing. H. Brown, Facultad de ingenería forestal; Universidad di Chile, Santiego, Chile
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