Farmers in the Chiquimula province of Guatemala engaged in participatory planning and dissemination of a traditional agroforestry method called kuxur rum. Kuxur rum uses a native tree planted throughout agricultural plots to protect and improve the quality of soils yielding a more resilient agricultural system.

Nature-based Intervention:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) worked with the Guatemalan Ministry of Agriculture to implement a food security program in Chiquimula province. The main intervention required the implementation of a traditional agroforestry system called kuxur rum, which relies on the dispersed planting of the native Gliricidia sepium throughout agricultural plots. This practice helps protect soil and crops from the potentially erosive effect of rain and preserve soil moisture in the dry season. Furthermore, the shade provided by the trees reduces evapotranspiration while leaf litter naturally adds organic matter to the soil below. Kuxur rum is a traditional practice that allows farmers to take advantage of local natural resources and reduce dependence on foreign inputs. The planning, adoption, and promotion of the practice was disseminated through participatory farmer field schools.

Overview of context and outcomes:

Guatemala experiences high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition partly as a result of hazards to agricultural production including droughts, erosion, wildfires, landslides caused by extreme weather events, and lack of seeds and planting material.