Diversity Bears Fruit: Evaluating the Economic Potential of Undervalued Fruits for an Agroecological Restoration Approach in the Peruvian Amazon

Elisabeth Lagneaux, Merel Jansen, Julia Quaedvlieg, Pieter A. Zuidema, Niels P. R. Anten, Mishari Rolando García Roca, Ronald Corvera-Gomringer and Chris J. Kettle
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Elisabeth Lagneaux: Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Merel Jansen: Department of Environmental Systems Science, Ecosystem Management, USYS, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Julia Quaedvlieg: Department of Environmental Systems Science, Ecosystem Management, USYS, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Pieter A. Zuidema: Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Niels P. R. Anten: Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Mishari Rolando García Roca: Facultad de Ingeniería Forestal y Medio Ambiente, Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios (UNAMAD), 17001 Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Ronald Corvera-Gomringer: Instituto de Inverstigación de la Amazonia Peruana (IIAP), 17001 Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Chris J. Kettle: Department of Environmental Systems Science, Ecosystem Management, USYS, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-18

Abstract: Agroforestry systems with a range of native and often neglected and underutilized tree species (NUS) are increasingly recognized for their potential role in restoration, simultaneously providing ecological and livelihood benefits. Successful adoption of these systems requires knowledge about beneficial species, system-level potential profitability, and barriers faced by farmers. Such information is essential but lacking for most NUS. We analyzed the economic potential of NUS in diverse smallholder-managed agroforestry systems in the Peruvian Amazon. Through semi-structured surveys with local stakeholders ( n = 40), we identified 10 native Amazonian NUS fruit with ecological, nutritious and commercial benefits. We then simulated the potential revenue per species and system-level profit of an agroforestry system designed with the 10 NUS. Our projections suggest that a diverse NUS-based agroforestry system can outcompete most alternative land-uses in the region on a per hectare profit basis. This shows that including NUS in restoration efforts could provide economic benefits for smallholders. To realize this potential, we recommend adapted interventions, e.g., increased farmer access to planting material, technical support for production and capacity building with a focus on high-potential NUS.

Keywords: agroecology; forest landscape restoration; agroforestry; diversity; neglected and underutilized fruit; profit; revenue; Peruvian Amazon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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