News

New publication showcases Panama watershed

04.02.2020

Fundación CoMunidad recently released a new publication, titled “Outlook of the Santa Maria River Watershed”, presenting the current situation of this water source that supplies water to more than 200 000 people in Panama.

With photographer Pablo Cambronero from Costa Rica, the publication pays special attention to the Panamanian Central Cordillera mountain region from which the river is born. It traces the sustainable mountain family farmers to the watershed to the coastal drainage.

The publication aims to boost interest and awareness about the multiple environmental, economic and social benefits derived from the management of the watershed. Its potential is considerable in terms of energy generation, forest production, genetic resources, quantity and quality of water, and sustainable agricultural production.

Alberto Pascual, Director of Fundación CoMunidad, states, “the Santa Maria River watershed is a priority for Panama and plays a fundamental role for our Latin American and Caribbean region, as a key territory for the implementation of measures of adaptation and mitigation to climate change.”

The sustainable use of this water source ensures the continued subsistence of the local community, contributing to its social and economic development. Water from this watershed is essential for agriculture produced in different provinces of Panama, and the river water quality is optimal for use in irrigation systems.

These agricultural systems are the basis of food security for the majority of the populations of the upper part of the Santa Maria River watershed. The predominant agricultural systems in the upper part of the Santa Maria River watershed are mainly based on traditional agriculture and livestock activities. Local farmers cut and burn stubble, secondary or primary forest and plant subsistence crops like basic grains, roots, tubers and vegetables. There are also long-standing perennial crops among producers, especially coffee, oranges and other fruit trees.

View the publication here

News and photo from Alberto Pascual