More info https://systems-comparison.fibl.org/i... FiBL and its partners have established a network of long-term field trials for the comparison of cropping systems (LTE) to compare the performance of conventional and organic production systems over a period of 15 to 20 years. In Bolivia, the project focuses on cocoa (Theobroma cacao) as the main crop in the long-term trial and for participatory research activities on the farm. In addition to comparing organic and conventional management, the project particularly investigates the performance of different cocoa agroforestry systems compared to cocoa monocultures. A second focus is the analysis of different cocoa varieties. In addition, we want to improve agroforestry systems under organic management through a participatory approach and socio-economic studies. The shift towards sustainable and regenerative agriculture is necessary and urgent in view of the climate and biodiversity crises, deforestation and soil degradation. In Bolivia, there is long-standing experience that shows the potential of agroforestry to combine economic efficiency with the regeneration of ecosystems by imitating natural systems. The Bolivian experience with organic cocoa cultivation in diverse agroforestry systems and with dynamic agroforestry is unique: The most important experiences include those of El Ceibo, the very first organic-certified cooperative of cocoa producers including cultivation in agroforestry systems (since 1977), that of Ecotop with the development of successional or dynamic agroforestry systems (since 1995) and the experiences and results of the international research project SysCom Bolivia, which compares monocultures and various forms of agrofrost (since 2008). In this video, various actors from the Alto Beni region share their experiences and show that agroforestry systems - productive and sustainable - represent a real alternative to conventional agriculture with the use of chemicals. Encounters with these people are changing agricultural and forestry practices, the vision of how we want to feed ourselves as a society, and even how we view and conduct science. El Ceibo: https://elceibo.com/ Ecotop: https://www.ecotop-consult.de/ Project SysCom Bolivia: https://systems-comparison.fibl.org/p... FiBL and its partners have established a network of long-term farming systems comparison field trials (LTE) in order to compare the performance of conventional and organic production systems for a period of 15 – 20 years. In Bolivia, the project is focussed on cocoa (Theobroma cacao) as the main crop in the long-term trial and for participatory on-farm research activities. Apart from the comparison of organic and conventional management, the project especially assesses the performance of diverse cocoa agroforestry systems in comparison to cocoa monocultures. A second focal point is the analysis of different cocoa cultivars. We also aim to improve the agroforestry systems under organic management through a participatory approach and socio-economic studies. Cocoa originates from the Amazon region where it grows in the lower strata of primary alluvial forests. In Latin America, cocoa is traditionally produced in shaded agroforestry systems together with a variety of other crops and fruit or timber trees. To increase cocoa yields however, in the main cocoa producing regions worldwide, cocoa is increasingly produced in monocultures to increase cocoa yield in the short-term. However, cocoa based agroforestry systems produce other products and public goods, and are, therefore, seen as a sustainable alternative to monocultures. Bolivia is not a big producer of cocoa on the world market but has a long tradition of organic cocoa production. About 2,000 farmers produce cocoa in the region of Alto Beni. More than 1,200 cocoa farmers are organized in cooperatives and these cooperatives adhere to the umbrella organization El Ceibo. El Ceibo, the farmers, own the whole value chain up to final chocolate bars for local and export market. El Ceibo was the first producer of organic certified cocoa and promotes organic cocoa agroforestry systems.