• BIO-SUPPLY

The Corporación PBA has supported the participative establishments of organic an biofertilizer installer production processes, such as micorrizas, lombriabono, bioles and bokashi, and of the biological pest control substances (like Beauveria bassiana), doing participatory investigation processes to develop and/or adapt technologies according with the availability of source materials and the characteristics and needs of the different ecosystems and different crops. This activity has contributed to the implementation of integrated crop management which has reduced the use of application of inputs of chemical synthesis. The obtained results are satisfactory for it has allowed it to increase yields and decrease production costs.

Corporación PBA is scaling and expanding these experiences throughout the entire Caribe region and to other zones of the country. (Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Antioquia, Nariño and Casanare). Equally it has been promoted in the projects the analysis of the ground to develop rational strategies of fertilizers, in a way according to the needs of the grounds and the crops. The harvesters have learned how to take samples and interpret the results of those analyses, to use it in a rational way, according to the specific requirements of their crops and their particular agro-ecological conditions.

• CLEAN SEED

The first projects that started, where the clean banana seed, cassava, yam, because the small agriculturists expressed the bad quality of the seed, this was one of their most serious issues. A participative evaluation was made from the beginning, in which eight varieties where selected, out of the three crops just mentioned. It was done this way, to take on the production of clean seed through the technology application of Micro-spreading. Special emphasis was made in a part of the production of this seed, that could perform in different locations, in a specific way in which it can combine the lab work with subsequent phases of multiplication in local nursery gardens that will allow a higher production, and the reduction of costs. This way accomplishing a greater participation of the small agriculturists in this process.

The Corporación PBA and the harvesters, developed a method and the required participative protocols to obtain the clean seed and the high quality of banana, cassava, yam and potatoe, by tissue cropping methods (main materials and super elite seeds), so that it can mi multiplied in a massive way, in the Main Technology companies, of the properties of the small harvesters, in local nursery gardens and in semi controlled lots to obtain basic seeds.

Recently the first two tissue and crop labs where built in the property of the peasants organization, and these were managed by small harvesters, in the rural zones of Ovejas (Sucre) and San Jacinto (Bolívar). The producers obtain main materials in vitro of cassava and yam. These labs, were designed in a simple way, so that the costs to produce the seed were low. They are mainly operated by women, following the standards of peasant farms. Thanks to them, the small harvesters can eliminate their dependency in an infected seed. Harvest clean seeds and reduce o eliminate the use of agro-chemical substances, associated with the control of plagues and diseases. This way, not only do they obtain abundant crops and quality crops, but the preservation of the environment, and this promotes the management activity within the peasants.

The Corporación PBA has promoted the training of harvester leaders and professionals of the corporation, and of the allied entities for practical boarding of programs of participative upgrade. In this field, educational and learning methods have been developed (harvesters, and investigators), in the identification and selection of outstanding plants, high productivity characteristics, plague tolerance, diseases and weather and ground adaptability, based on behavior at the field level, for the maintenance and desired characteristics.

In the Andina Zone, the participative process selection has been set forward, with plague and disease resistance and with good characteristics for the fresh market and industrial process. So far, variety of potatoes have been selected in the year, Criolla potatoe, pea, beans and quinua. It should be noticed that potatoes and peas, have been pre-selected materials with the resistence to phytophtora infestants and fussarium, respectively, diseases that are critical in these two fields.

In addition, the association of cassov, and yam harvesting in the Atlantic Coast, have evaluated new varieties and saved others from use and traditional consumption, supported in Agrobiodiversity Fairs that promote the exchange and value of traditional and scientific knowledge, management and use of local germplasm, used as a conservation strategy of the main genetic species of social and economic interest.

The obtained results have contributed to the expansion of genotypes that support the access of agriculturists to the local germplasm and improved germplasm banks and collections, established in CORPOICA and Universities, and promoting the development of our scientific work, in which gens and other resistance mechanism in identified, and that will contribute to the improvement or productivity and competitiveness of the crops, in consequently the quality of life of our rural producers.

the integrated plague and disease management is part of the integrated Clean production strategy, that works for Corporación PBA.

As part of this project, the management of the producers or banana in Los Córdobas (Córdoba), Curumaní (Cesar), and Dibulla (Guajira), tested native strains from the germplasm bank of CORPOICA of Beauveria bassiana, as part of the control from the black and scratched weevil.

The positive results found by the decrease of incidence and severity of this plague, took the local lab establishments, managed mainly by women, who handmade and multiplied this bio-controller, for other plantation uses that are infected by this plague. The participative investigation work in this area, has allowed the development of a method for the isolation of infected and multiplying strains, the use of bio-preparations for the integrated management of other important plagues (economy and crops). Like the termite and the vegetable extract for the management of foliation diseases like the black sigatoka.

The sustainable management of water and ground projects include participative investigation in farming and conservation, incorporation of green manure, appropriate for the productive systems of small harvesters, vegetable coverage establishments, and efficient management of water irrigation. This initiative was born because of the growing concern of small harvesters on land degradation and deterioration of its water sources. Initially, the Corporation worked with the GTZ to adapt its experience in the recovery of grounds (soils) from Andina region to the Caribbean Region. In the moment, most Corporación PBA projects in different regions of the country, contemplate the component on this field.

in the different areas in which the corporation works, projects on research and investigation are advancing, participatory adaption and promotion of agro forestry systems, to the production conditions of the farmers, contributing to the environmental preservation an biodiversity, in particular, to assist the conservation of soil and water, and contribute to the maintenance and/or establishment of a friendly habitat for flora, fauna an microorganisms, letting it allow small producers to verify their source of income.

The Corporación PBA plans to rely on biotechnology to produce seedling of timber species, selecting outstanding genetic material, improving the species, as well as the agricultural species with which they are going to be associated (including fruit), and obtaining biological input that allows amore clean and efficient development production. The agroforestry strategy is contemplated in the majority of projects that are being developed my organizations of small agriculturist linked to the Corporation. As part of the strategy, of the genetic improvement programs and clean seed production, effort are being made for the recollection and classification labors of native germplasm, which are essential for preserving the rich Colombian biodiversity.