CATIE and Rainforest Alliance Launch Regenerative Agriculture Guides for Pineapple Production
Written by Kattia Bermudez Mora, Edited by Katie Modic
Regenerative-focused agricultural production systems offer solutions to two of the most pressing global challenges: the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. They also promote more equitable lifestyles and productive agricultural systems.
The Technical Manuel is aimed at professionals supporting producers in sustainable pineapple cultivation.
This December, the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) and Rainforest Alliance, who have been collaborating for years, joined forces to showcase the potential of creating regenerative agriculture models for pineapple production both within Costa Rica and in other pineapple-producing countries. Together they co-published two guides, a Technical Manual and a Producer’s Guide, that provide solutions to conventional pineapple cultivation methods.
Leading up to the recent publications, the two organizations as well as additional partners like COOPEPIÑA and NICOVERDE led an intensive process of technical-scientific documentation which included farm visits and extensive interviews with producers and technical personnel.
This effort laid the groundwork for a theoretical-practical proposal for the ecological intensification of pineapple production systems by utilizing the design and implementation of regenerative production systems.
As a result, the two organizations recently published a Technical Manual and a Guide for Producers titled "Regenerative Agriculture in Pineapple Farms: an Innovative Approach in the Context of Climate Change."
Biodiversity conservation and the integration of trees in agricultural landscapes are fundamental elements of Regenerative Agriculture. With this guides, CATIE and Rainforest Alliance offer practical insights into regenerative pineapple farming, focusing on agroforestry, shade management, and crop rotation. The guides offer a series of proposals for the design of agroforestry systems promoting climate resilience and economic viability, and include visual illustrations that help identify the best design for different landscapes and goals.
This Technical Manuel is aimed at professionals supporting producers in sustainable pineapple cultivation.
The Producer’s Guide provides visual illustrations to assist producers in identifying the best design for their unique landscape and goals.
Elias de Melo, researcher at CATIE's Agroforestry and Coffee and Cocoa Genetic Improvement Unit, stated that these documents provide a framework for designing production systems that meet criteria for soil restoration, biodiversity, landscape, and water.
"The guides employ strategies adapted to different production conditions and are committed to climate change adaptation and mitigation, while ensuring productivity and profitability."
Elena Nera, Senior Associate of Agricultural Production Systems at Rainforest Alliance's Forestry and Agriculture Unit, commented that biodiversity conservation and the integration of trees into agricultural landscapes are fundamental aspects of regenerative agriculture and represent innovative elements in pineapple production.
"With the dissemination of these guides, we hope to reach producers and the professionals who support them to promote regenerative pineapple cultivation and integrated landscape management."
De Melo added that CATIE and Rainforest Alliance have been working for several years to introduce the concept of regenerative agriculture to producers, institutions, and companies. This collaboration has sparked interest in redesigning pineapple production systems with a regenerative focus.
More information:
Elias de Melo Virginio Filho
Researcher
Agroforestry and Coffee and Cocoa Genetic Improvement Unit
CATIE
eliasdem@catie.ac.cr
Elena Nera
Senior Associate, Agricultural Production Systems
Forest and Agriculture Unit
Rainforest Alliance
enera@ra.org