Colombia: Training in Sustainable Enterprise Development to commercialize biodiversity products

Faced with declining coffee prices and environmental degradation of its rich resource base, Colombia is tapping biodiversity to identify alternative products and promote sustainable community-based enterprises and sustainable management of natural resources.

In 2002 a partnership was established between the FAO Forestry Policy and Institutions Service (FONP) and the Alexander von Humboldt Research Institute in order to integrate the Market Analysis and Development approach in their Bio Commerce Programme. The project was finalized in 2004 .

The objective of the Bio Commerce Programme was to create and foster mechanisms that enhance the investment in, and the trade of biodiversity-based products and services to complement and support local and regional development efforts. In order to identify the appropriate products, decision was made to pilot-test the M A & D approach in three areas of the Bio Commerce Programme.

The three pilot areas were located in the Departments of la Guajira, Santander and Quindío where local institutions and organizations are making efforts to provide alternative and sustainable income-generating resources to communities and incentives for them to protect the natural resource base.

In Quindio Department, the National Park of los Nevados is considered a key area for the environmental balance of the region and an extremely important reserve of water resources. This is why the sustainable management of surrounding buffer zones is a major concern. The community-based enterprises identified involved, for instance, the production and commercialization of five species of heliconiae flowers and three decorative leafy plants. The main results of the project in this department are:

  • training of community members, selection of species and establishment of cultivations;

  • training on post-harvest management and elaboration of the ornamental products;

  • participatory business planning;

  • and formulation of projects and strategic alliances to obtain seed money.

    In la Guajira Department, viable community-based enterprises involved alternative marine products such as the cultivation of algae in order to protect marine turtles from extinction. Here, the main achievements include:

  • training of community members and establishment of 30 family farms equipped for cultivating and drying Eucheuma isiforme algae;

  • definition of a minimum supply base to ensure the sustainahbility of the enterprise;

  • Establishing labour distribution and cooperation among ¿farmers¿;

  • elaboration of a business plan.

    In Santander Department, monoculture and cattle grazing have degraded the natural resource base, especially soils, water reserves and the oak Quercus humboltii forests. Here the products identified are non-wood forest products such as: aromatic plants, and natural dyes. The latter will be used to dye the wool, which in turn will be used to weave improved quality garnments and clothes aimed at the national market. The main results of the project include:

  • the agreement with a private company to receive technical advice and establishment of a business agreement;

  • soil analysis, definition and establishment of pilot cultivation sites of valeriana officinalis and solanum melongena;

  • pilot cultivations of forest species of concern to the company;

  • sustainable management plan to harvest plants from the forest;

  • training for improving weaving and dying techniques.

    • The main overall outputs achieved by the project in the three areas include: the formulation of a business strategy for selected products, including marketing and management plans; development of an action plan based on the strategies defined; financing of the activities according to the financial plan and priorities; and finally, the implementation of pilot community-based enterprises in agreement with the local organizations and according to the planning and follow-up system established.

    Finally, the project was also able to achieve: a) the strengthening of local institutions through capacity-building in Market Analysis and Development (M A & D); b) the training of national, regional and local counterparts to implement and validate the methodology, c) the creation of strategic alliances with commercial partners and d) the definition of micro-credit mechanisms.

    At the end of the project, a case study was carried out in order to have a more in depth view and better analyse the project outcomes. To read the case study, please click on Publications.

    Three years after the project finished, people continue to carry out these activities successfully



    For further information please contact:

    Sophie.Grouwels@fao.org
    Forestry Policy Service (FOEP)
    Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy
    Phone: +39 06 57055299
    Fax: +39 06 57055514
    last updated: Wednesday, March 12, 2008