Regeneration International and Renature Kick Off Farmer Training with FAO’s TAPE Assessment

Regeneration International and Renature Kick Off Farmer Training with FAO’s TAPE Assessment

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On July 24 and 25, fifty-three smallholder farmers from 16 different municipalities of the State of Guanajuato attended a “Tool for Agroecological Performance (TAPE)” session at Regeneration International’s sister organization in Mexico, Vía Orgánica.

This two-day session was part of a collaborative project between Renature and Regeneration International as a strategy to develop, expand, and train smallholder farmers in the agroforestry system of the Billion Agave Project.

The collaboration, which will last 18 months, seeks to train 200 smallholder farmers (fifty percent men, fifty percent women) in agroforestry models using agave and companion trees, as part of the Billion Agave Project Model.

TAPE, FAO’s Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation, is a globally recognized, comprehensive tool that helps measure the multi-dimensional performance of agroecological systems across the different dimensions of sustainability. The tool is very user-friendly and is adaptable in the sense that it can be used at a plot or farm level. It helps collect information which can then be extrapolated at a regional level.

The assessment, conducted in late July, will allow us to establish a baseline for the project design, monitoring, and evaluation, and help us compare and map the state of the transition of different plots over time. TAPE scores ten elements of agroecological sustainability from 0 to 100%.

During this first meeting, we collected all relevant context information, including the size of the plot, production systems, vegetation, animals, social context, income, exposure to pesticides, biodiversity, women’s empowerment, and landscape. The information will be processed and will help monitor and evaluate the project and create recommendations for future steps to improve those areas where the score is lower.

Further field interviews will be conducted over the next months, and soil samples are being collected and analyzed from the fields of those who took part in the TAPE interview. The analysis includes physical, chemical, and biological parameters.

Stay tuned and look for our social media publications as well as further newsletter posts. We will keep you updated on progress as we continue our work of expanding regenerative solutions and access to education and resources.