Restoring Zaña's riparian forest through women-led regenerative farming

Guardians of the Seasonally Dry Riparian Forest

In the village of La Otra Banda, Zaña, Peru, a groundbreaking initiative unites ecosystem conservation with social justice. Led by CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (CIAM), this project empowers Afro-descendants and the Mushik indigenous women and youth to become stewards of their land through sustainable agriculture.

The Challenge

The La Otra Banda Seasonally Dry Forest—one of Peru's rarest ecosystems, with only 20% remaining from its original coastal range—faces accelerating threats. Years of intensive farming with synthetic chemicals have degraded soil health, reducing yields. Desperate to survive, farmers increasingly encroach on the forest, logging carob trees for charcoal.

Rural women and youth, despite driving agricultural production, lack property rights and economic opportunities, forcing many to abandon farming entirely.

The Solution

The project catalyzes a regenerative agroecological transition across 10 hectares, transforming livestock waste into bioinputs while aligning farmer incentives with forest protection. Working with 40 farmers—60% women and youth—we will:

• Build self-sufficiency: Install 40 family biomodules producing compost, bokashi, and biol locally, cutting costs by 60%
• Teach proven techniques: Host 12 field schools on soil regeneration and biological pest control, eliminating toxic pesticides
• Create market access: Launch the "Eco-Flavors of the Other Band" brand, connecting farmers to fair-trade markets

This model transforms conservation into an engine for economic empowerment and lasting environmental protection.