Tropical Agronomy Internships, Ecuador

Tropical agronomist internships are available in Ecuador working with CRACYP in the subtropical foothills of the Andes. CRACYP (which stands for Rural Reforestation and Progress Network Corporation, in Spanish) is a non profit organisation working in over 200 communities on the borders of the Cotopaxi, Bolivar and Los Rios provinces in Ecuador.

CRACYP's aim is "Progreso Verde" or "Green Progress" - conservation of the environment and economic and social development of local communities. We aim to transfer appropriate technology, knowledge and sustainable alternative agricultural methods, in exchange for community participation in reforestation. This process also increases the production alternatives and resources of the communities involved, improving their quality of life. Many of our projects involve organic cultivation and/or fair trade certification.

We need interns with experience/studies in tropical agronomy to assist farmers in improving management and increasing sugarcane yields via organic methods.  The farmers have extremely limited resources, so these will likely be small, practical solutions such as: improving manure/compost use, intercropping, improving plant spacing requirements, etc.  It could also include strategic use of rock phosphate and/or organically improved potash.

Farmers here, like farmers anywhere, have a very practical attitude towards new practices: if it makes work easier and increases yield, they might accept it, if not, they certainly won’t. So, as with any project of this type, there will be an emphasis on farmer-to-farmer learning and the establishment of on-farm test plots to show the practical value of any new practice.

This is a great opportunity for those studying agronomy or related fields who are interested in rural development to gain practical field experience.

Internships are available for 4 to 12 weeks, any time February and November.

More details: Download the information pack from www.progresoverde.org/internship.html or email internship.ecuador@yahoo.co.uk. Please quote reference SDTraAug13 when you apply.