Árboles frutales en fincas de cacao orgánico del Alto Beni, Bolivia

Abstract

Se inventariaron los frutales en las áreas agrícolas de 100 fincas de productores de cacao de asociaciones y cooperativas del Alto Beni, Bolivia. Se estimaron la densidad y la riqueza de árboles frutales en las áreas agrícolas y se compararon entre cooperativas y asociaciones y entre usos de la tierra. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas entre productores de asociaciones y cooperativas. Los productores desean enriquecer sus fincas con frutales nativos y exóticos de calidad pero requieren capacitación y asistencia técnica para introducir o seleccionar localmente germoplasma de alta calidad, conocer sobre los beneficios nutricionales de las frutas e introducir mejores prácticas agronómicas de manejo, cosecha y post-cosecha de frutales. An inventory was made of fruit trees in the agricultural areas of 100 cacao farms of participants in associations and cooperatives in Alto Beni, Bolivia. In agricultural areas the density and species richness of fruit trees was estimated and comparisons were made between farms of participants in cooperatives and those in associations, as well as between land uses. There were no statistical differences between the farms of associations vs. cooperatives. The fruit trees on these farms can contribute essential nutrients and vitamins needed for a high quality diet. These farmers want to enrich their farms with high quality native and exotic fruit trees but they need training and technical assistance to introduce (or select locally) germplasm of high quality, to know the nutritional benefits of fruits and to introduce better agricultural management, harvest and post-harvest practices for fruit trees.