Climate-smart research and indigenous communities

The proposed technological solution focuses on a series of practices and technologies for improving the sustainability and productivity of livestock farming in Mapuche communities. These solutions are implemented through a participatory approach and are designed to be applied in the Innovation Units selected in each community.

The selected practices and technologies address several key aspects:

1. Increased Productivity: this includes fattening, strategic supplementation, weaning, use of electric fences and sheds, predation control, and selection of better adapted individuals. Community production of adapted forage and assessment of animal welfare are also considered.
2. Pasture and Forage Management: Includes adjustments in stocking rates, rotational grazing, nutrient recirculation, and use of natural fertilizers. The aim is to improve the quality of the pasture and optimize its use.
3. Water management: It contemplates solutions such as water storage, tanks with movable lids, cultivation of adapted forage crops, and water troughs in the pastures to deal with water shortages.
4. Manure Management: Includes composting practices, reuse of manure for soil improvement, and its use in construction and as fuel.
5. Greenhouse Irrigation Automation: Integration of automated irrigation systems, incorporating soil moisture sensors and intelligent programming to maximize water use efficiency and enhance water resource management.
6. Natural Pasture Restoration: Use of native forage species for the recovery of degraded natural pastures.
7. Use of Non-Conventional Foods: Evaluation of regional non-conventional foods for animal feed, ensuring their safety and nutritional value.

These technologies and practices are selected and applied in collaboration with the Mapuche communities, combining local and scientific-technological knowledge. The objective is to achieve an increase in livestock productivity and a reduction in the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions, creating a more sustainable livestock system adapted to climate challenges.