Project Narrative

BENEFIT SSome tree planting projects were initiated by the groups of villagers themselves. Their initiative contributes to the rehabilitation of the environment, especially the maintenance of soil and water in the soil, on this island where sugar cane supplanted all the forests that were formerly present. It will also eventually enable the villagers to run collective the sustainable exploitation of timber and gain additional income out of it.Recognized as a strong empowerment model for sugar cane and banana producers of the Philippines, Alter Trade Corporation also develops along with PUR Projet a tree planting project with farmers, aiming at the development of a community and sustainable forestry. The agroforestry models is well adapted to the needs of small-scale sugarcane and banana producers. It brings many benefits: water supply, soil fertility, shade, wind protection, pest control,…The holistic development dynamic initiated with the organic and fair trade cultures of sugar cane and bananas, created a particularly favorable context for community project development of reforestation and forest preservation. Local groups are very close, they already work actively on multiple shared projects, and share a strong vision of sustainable development of their village. Their life condition improved in the last 15 years thanks to sustainable development mechanisms such as organic agriculture and fair trade. They share a vision and a strong conviction that their development passes by sustainable practices of protection of their ecosystem and maintenance of the social and solidarity relationship within villages.