This solution seeks to increase the resilience of the main productive sectors of the Napo Province, Ecuador, by promoting alternatives to intensive cattle ranching and agriculture, while at the same time reducing pressure on the paramo ecosystem and water resources. It is part of the project Adaptation to the Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources in the Andes (AICCA).
The project Adaptation to the Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources in the Andes (AICCA) in Ecuador, is implementing climate change adaptation measures to increase the resilience of the main productive sectors of the Cuyuja and Papallacta parishes in Napo Province. These parishes are located within the Cayambe Coca National Park, an important protected area in the country that is currently under strong pressure due to the advance of the agricultural frontier of the populations settled there. According to climate risk and vulnerability studies carried out by the project and climate change projections, this area is also facing an increase in heavy rains and frosts (hydrometeorological threats).
In this scenario, 42 indoor crops were grown in greenhouses with a metal structure and a drip irrigation system to maintain stable climatic conditions inside the greenhouse and protect the crops from heavy rains and frosts, which are frequent in the area.The solution is also implemented in the Checa and Chiquintad parishes (province of Azuay) of the Machángara river sub-basin (10 greenhouses with irrigation and 2 hydroponic systems), in response to the "hydrological drought" threat identified in the territory.
The AICCA Project is being implemented in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia in the sectors of hydropower, agriculture, minor irrigation and rainwater drainage, respectively.