Natural Habitats
Impact Report 2021/2022
24
Natural Habitats
Impact Report 2021/2022
25
GERARDO VILLAMARIN
FARMER WITH A VISION
SHORT INTRODUCTION TO THE FARMER Organic farming is a family affair for Gerardo Villamarin. He and his son, Juan Pablo, manage 60 hectares of oil palms, and are dedicated to sustainable, organic growing methods. Together, they use innovative strategies to protect their farm’s ecosystem. While Gerardo and his son nurture their palms, Gerardo’s daughter, Maria Belen, is proud to run her own business. Maria manages 30 hectares of cacao and runs the family’s very own chocolate brand – Valdivia – named in honour of the Indigenous people that lived on their farmland thousands of years ago. This additional income contributes to the family’s financial stability. The entire family takes great pride in their 50 hectares of conserved land. By protecting areas of land from commercial use, the Villamarin family supports the natural regeneration of native forests. This in turn, attracts native wildlife such as large iguanas and boa constrictors, which had not been seen in the forest for a long time. BRIEF OVERVIEW OF HOW THEY WORK Gerado and Juan use a specific combination of under cropping to support the soil health, and in turn, the productivity of their oil palms. For example; the large- leaved Camacho plant provides soil with shade, which helps to retain water through the dryer months. While the Kudzu vine adds vital nitrogen to the soil, which supports plant growth and food production. With a conventional banana farm using chemical pesticides and herbicides right next door, Gerardo and Juan have had to take extra steps to maintain their organic certification. To avoid contamination with chemicals, they planted a buffer zone between the two properties. They have also taken steps to reforest the riparian zones of the beautiful river that runs through their plantation, which is a requirement of RSPO certification. And now a thriving community of indigenous plants protect the river and help native wildlife thrive.
WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE COLLABORATING WITH NATURAL HABITATS?
Collaborating with Natural Habitats gives the Villamarin family a platform to showcase their model organic farm. Their story has and continues to inspire other farmers by demonstrating how palm can be done right.
“To maintain healthy, nutrient-rich soil, Gerardo uses specific plant species. The large-leaved Camacho shades soils and retains water, while the Kudzu vine adds vital nitrogen to the soil.”
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