M. DA VEIGA, L. DO PRADO WILDNER & J.R. BENITES LATIN AMERICAN CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE NETWORK - RELACO RELACO President 1999-2001, EPAGRI, Santa Catarina, Brasil RELACO Secretary 1999-2001, EPAGRI, Santa Catarina, Brasil FAOIRELACO Coordinador 1987-2001, AGSUFAO, Roma, Italia The Latin American Conservation Agriculture Network (RELACO) is a professional, non-profit making association that brings together persons who are interested in and capable of contributing efficiently to the development of conservation agriculture science, technology and production in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was founded in 1987 and amongst its activities, it has organised five Latin American Seminars and published the proceedings. It has also promoted the exchange of advisors amongst the participating member countries, delivered training courses on the theme and it has also published a wide range of technical documents and a manual concerning conservation tillage systems for Latin America. RELACO is mainly supported by national institutions from the member countries together with FAO, but it is open to other funding sources with the objective of increasing the number of activities of the Network. Biennial meetings are held with the aim of interchanging conservation agriculture experiences amongst the member countries. INTRODUCTION The main areas for both present-day and future development of rainfed agriculture in Latin America lie in the semi-arid and sub-humid zones. It is in these regions that the lowest levels of agricultural production and ofland productivity are characteristic. There are increasing difficulties to even maintain these levels in a profitable manner, more so in those areas only recently put into agricultural production. At the same time in many countries, one observes a continuous migration of the active rural population towards urban centres, increasing poverty levels, malnutrition of numerous sectors of the population and an increasing dependence on food importation to satisfy requirements. One of the main reasons for this situation can be traced back to land degradation caused mainly by inadequate practices of use and management under various combinations of effects due to climate, soils and the existing socio-economic conditions in the countries of the region. Deforestation together with the exploitation of fragile marginal lands on mixed farms is accelerating the process of degradation. Other contributing factors include L. Garda-Torres et ai. (eds.), Conservation Agriculture, 105-110. © 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. 105 106 M. DA VEIGA, L. Do PRADO WILDNER & J. R. BENITES land holdings and tenancy, increasingly costly agricultural production inputs and the lack of or inconsistency of land use policies, strategies or plans. To this list should be added a generally poor understanding of appropriate systems of land management under different agro-ecological conditions and the recent economic problems that have negatively affected the agricultural sectors of almost all the countries in the region. Clear symptoms of soil degradation are to be observed in the majority of Latin American countries, provoked by intensification and gradual mechanisation of agricultural and livestock production. They thus derive mainly from the land use and management practices and are noticeable in a variety of ways such as erosion due to water and wind, compaction, capping and crusting, loss of organic matter and nutrients, salinity and alkalinity, etc. Together they represent the major limitations for the expansion and intensification of agriculture in Latin America and thus, for the food production needs for their resident population both at present and in the future. Faced with this situation, there is a need to initiate, develop, strengthen and/or reorient according to each case, studies and projects that can lead towards efficient systems of conservation land management. At the same time, there is a need to diffuse knowledge so as to contribute to a better understanding of the causes of soil degradation and to find solutions satisfying farmer needs. In this sense it seems that the most vital factor directly related to the degradation process within land management systems, is the intensity of soil tillage. A lack oflong-term policies forrational exploitation of natural resources is generally characteristic of many countries within the region. Coupled with this, there is a lack of stability or the necessary political vision to guarantee economic support to already established conservation programmes. Failure to optimise activities and to interact, examples of unnecessary duplication and gaps in information in certain areas, coupled with a general low efficiency in the use of both human and material resources, are all common situations. These can be traced to the general lack of long-term integrated programmes and projects that focus on, co-ordinate and contribute towards bringing together individual institutions and organisations. It is within this context that networks for research and technology transfer can playa vital role. They are an effective means for promoting the efficient use of scientific resources and the interchange and training of technical personnel of the participating countries. Attempts to use networks to transfer technologies require a minimum need for local expertise and an organisational framework that is able to conduct and support a systematic evaluation of experimental results. It is with this objective of facilitating the exchange of experiences between member countries that FAO supports technical networks that promote meetings and specialist workshops. These will normally be aimed at defining criteria, evaluating the extent and severity of present-day and potential land degradation, selecting pilot areas and formulating development and investment projects. All of these efforts are focussed land conservation through practices of conservation agriculture. A BRIEF HISTORY OF RELACO In response to the situation described above, the Latin American Conservation Tillage Network (RELACO) was created, oriented towards diffusing knowledge related to LATIN AMERICAN CONSERVATION ... 107 conservation tillage systems. Its activities started in 1986 under the auspices of FAO with the initial objective of assisting national research institutions from the Chaco region (Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay). Venezuela joined the network in 1988 and in 1991 the existing network arrived at a membership including the additional inscriptions from nine other countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic and Venezuela). The 3rd Biennial Seminar held in San Jose, Costa Rica resulted in the additional membership of Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, EI Salvador, Honduras and Mexico. The 4th Biennial Seminar held in Morelia, Mexico saw a change in the breath of the thematic elements within the network and the General Assembly decided to change the name to the Latin American Conservation Agriculture Network, although the acronym was to stay the same (RELACO). During the 5 th Biennial Seminar held at Santa Catarina, Brazil it was formally decided to open up the network to all countries within Latin America. According to its statutes, RELACO is established as a non-profit making organisation that links together persons interested and able to efficiently contribute to the development of conservation agriculture science, technology and production in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its major objectives are as follows: a) Stimulate research, studies and teaching programmes that promote conservation agriculture production systems b) Diffuse results of advances in research and studies concerning conservation agriculture practices, particularly those undertaken in Latin American countries c) Promote the development of conservation agriculture production systems in Latin America d) Co-operate in the promotion of ideas, efforts and organised groups that coincide with the principles of conservation agriculture as proposed by RELACO e) Stimulate the activities of National Networks and similar conservation agriculture programmes to promote together with RELACO concepts of conservation agriculture within their countries f) Maintain close relationships with state and private institutions, organisations and companies that are following similar or the same aims both at national and international levels. BIENNIAL SEMINARS The 1sl Biennial RELACO Seminar and a training course on tillage systems was held from 18-27 November 1991 at the Saenz Pena Agricultural Experiment Station of the National Institute for Agricultural and Livestock Production (INTA). 28 participants from 9 countries were in attendance. The meeting was organised jointly by the FAO Land and Water Development Division and INTA. During the meeting, the sessions stimulated the participants to reflect on the need to organise a Tillage Network within the region whose structure would constitute an extension to the network already established in 1986 and which comprised 4 member countries. All the training material used during the course was collated and in November 1992, it was published as 108 M. DA VEIGA, L. Do PRADO WILDNER & 1. R. BENITES the Manual of Tillage Systems for Latin America (the FAO Soils Bulletin No. 66). It was also agreed that the Seminar Co-ordinator should also co-ordinate operation of the extended network over the next two-year period, at which time he would be replaced by the co-ordinator of the next biennial meeting. Ing. Roberto Casa, Director of the Soils Institute of the INTA Natural Resources Research Centre, was chosen to be the Regional Co-ordinator of RELACO for the period 1992-93. The 2nd Biennial Seminar was held in Venezuela from the 14 - 19 November 1993 at the Centre for Agricultural and Livestock Research of FONAIAP in AcariguaJ Guanare, Portugesa State. The event was sponsored jointly by the Venezuelan Fund for Research in Agriculture and Livestock (FONAIAP), FAO, the Llanos Ezequiel Zamora National Experimental University of Venezuela (UNELLEZ) and the International Society for Soil Science (lSSS). A workshop was held during the event titled «Effects of tillage systems on the degradation and productivity of soils», which was attended by 27 professionals from 9 countries. The workshop saw the drawing up of a series of recommendations based on the experiences of the participants, which later served as the basis for the conclusions and recommendations of the seminar. The regional co-ordinating ofRELACO for the period 1994-95 was assigned to FONAIAP, the Regional Co-ordinator being Dr. Francisco A. Ovalles. The 3rd Biennial Seminar was held in the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Cosat Rica (UCR) at San Pedro de Montes de Oca and was co-ordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG). It was supported by FAO, the Costa Rica Association of Soil Science and the Agronomy Research Centre of UCR. The theme was «Sustainable use of soil on hillsides - the essential role of conservation tillage systems» and was attended by 64 professionals from 34 national institutions in 17 countries. The main recommendation of the seminar was to focus on participatory planning to promote soil conservation management practices, leading towards increased agricultural production and as a basis for sustainable development and good conservation of soil and water. It was also recommended to use micro-catchment areas as units for planning and executing activities. The Regional Co-ordination of RELACO for the period 1995-97 was assumed by Ing. Nils Solorzano from the Costa Rica Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. The 4th Biennial Seminar was organised in Mexico at MorelialMichoacan under the auspices of the National Institute for Research in Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock (INIFAP), the National Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Production (CENAPROS) and FAO. Numerous relevant papers were presented by the 128 RELACO members present, including various case studies and particular keynote speeches. Amongst the recommendations it was highlighted that crop rotations and inter-cropping, together with the use of green manure and compost were of great importance in conservation agriculture systems. The General Assembly of RELACO was held during the meeting and the network changed its name to the Latin American Conservation Agriculture Network, although its acronym was unchanged as RELACO. Dr. Ramon Clavenin Alonso from CENAPROS was elected as the RELACO Co-ordinator for the period 1997-99. The 5 th and most recent Biennial RELACO seminar took place in Brazil at Florianopolis/ Santa Catarina from the 3-7 October 1999 and was jointly organised by the Santa Catarina Enterprise for Agricultural and Livestock Research and Rural LATIN AMERICAN CONSERVATION ... 109 Extension (EPAGRI) and FAO. The theme of this fifth meeting was «Direct drilling: a tool for conservation agriculture» for which there were various keynote speeches and then discussions in 6 working groups with the 102 technicians from the 11 participating countries. It was during this meeting that RELACO started to become associated with various producers' organisations such as the Confederation of American Producers for Sustainable Agriculture (CAAPAS) and the Brazilian Federation for Direct Drilling through Residues (FEBRAPDP). The General Assembly approved the proposal that all countries of Latin America should be incorporated as members of RELACO. Co-ordination of the network for the period 1999-2001 was assigned to EPAGRI, Ing. Milton da Veiga being elected to occupy the post. It is important to highlight that RELACO, throughout its long history, has received both technical and financial assistance from FAO through its Land and Water Development Division, together with support from national institutions. This has enabled both the organisation of the biennial seminars and operation of the network. Network activities and results The main activities developed by the network in order to achieve its objectives are summarised below: • • • • • • • • • • • Biennial seminars, held alternately in countries in the North and South of Latin America. Printing and distribution of scientific, technical and extension publications A Web-site describing the Network and including information relating to the the most recent biennial meeting (httpllwww.relaco.cjb.net). together with an e-mail addresstofacilitateinformationexchange([email protected]) Circulation of a newsletter three times per year containing relevant information about co-ordination of the network and other matters of interest concerning conservation agriculture Continuous interchange of information amongst the members Communication with the Ministries of Agriculture and other authorities in Latin American countries Organisation of training courses and workshops Establishment of contacts with enterprises producing machines, equipment and other agricultural inputs Formal and informal exchanges between specialists Consultancy and advisory services at different levels Communication and interchange with Associations for Conservation Agriculture in Latin America and other parts of the world. The main achievements of the network may be summarised as follows: Organisation of a total of 5 Biennial Seminars over the last 13 years, funded by FAO and and national institutions. 110 M. • • • • • • • • • • DA VEIGA, L. Do PRADO WILDNER & J. R. BENITES Publication and distribution of the Proceedings of these seminars, together with approximately 40 additional technical documents. Establishment of the formal constitution and designation of the legal personnel necessary to guarantee the full and continuing functioning of the Network. Presentation and discussion during the biennial meetings of some of the most significant Latin American case studies, publishing and distributing these afterwards RELACO has created a solid sense of conscience and ethics regarding the conservation of natural resources amongst its members and also with those others with access to the information generated. RELACO has now gained a certain prestige and has been represented in numerous international meetings not only on Latin America but also in other parts of the world. One particular document published by RELACO concerning land management systems in Latin America and written by members from Argentina, has been widely distributed and is still being used by both technicians and producers The results and experiences of RELACO are now being transferred to similar organisations in other parts of the world RELACO has also introduced to Latin America, knowledge and experiences from other parts of the world through inviting selected participants to one or other of its biennial seminars RELACO has assisted in the organisation of various national networks focussed on practices of conservation agriculture in many Latin American countries Presently, RELACO is working alongside producer organisations and trying to focus their attention on conservation agriculture both at national and regionallevels. REFERENCES Alonso, R.C., da Veiga, M. and Benites, J.R. Latin American Conservation Agriculture Network (RELACO). In: Global Forum for Agricultural Research. Dresden, Germany, (2000) Proceedings. Benites, J.R. Red Latinoamericana de Labranza Conservacionista (RELACO): Los diez primeros aiios de actividades (1987-1997). In: Reunion Bienal de la RELACO, 5. Memorias. Fiorian6polis/SC, Brasil, (1990) EPAGRIIRELACO: CD ROM, 2000. 53p. Benites, J.R., Ovalles, F.A. y de Bisbal, E.C. Reunion Bienal de La Red Latinoamericana de Labranza Conservacionista, 2. GuararelAcarigua, Venezuela, (1993) RELACO, publicaci6n especial, 1 (1994), 25p. RELACO. III Reuni6n Bienal de la Red Latinoamericana de Labranza Conservacionista. EI uso sostenible del suelo en zonas de ladera: EI papel esencial de los sistemas de labranza conservacionista. San Jose, Costa Rica, 1995. Memorias. Ed. por Floria Bertsch y Carlos Monreal. San Jose, c.R.: accs, (1996) 307P. RELACO. IV Reuni6n Bienal de la Red Latinoamericana de Agricultura Conservacionista. Estudios de caso en America Latina. MoreliaIMichoacan, Mexico, (1997) Memorias. Ed. por Ram6n C. Alonso y Fernando O. R. Vilchis. 361p. RELACO. V Reuni6n Bienal de la Red Latinoamericana de Agricultura Conservacionista. Siembra directa: una herramienta para laAgricultura Conservacionista. Fiorian6polis/Santa Catarina, Brasil, (1999) Memorias en CD ROM. Ed. por Milton da Veiga.
