Amazon Interactive
Coffee and Conservation
You chosethe moderate income strategy:
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Map of your 15 hectare plot of land
You earned $350. That's not enough to support your family. You have to borrow morefrom your brother, again promising to pay him back after next year's harvest.
But you've only got three hectares of primary forest left. Your family hasto walk to the far end of your land to find medicinal plants. The waterin the creek running past your house is always muddy now. There's littleshade left to escape the hot noonday sun.
You realize that you have nearly run out of primary forest. Soon you'llhave to plant all your crops in secondary forest--or find another line ofwork besides farming. Some people in your Quichua community are talkingabout ecotourism. Instead of farming more land, the community canearn money by bringing in tourists and teaching them about the Quichua wayof life. Do you think the community should considerecotourism? Or would you like to start over withyour cash crops?
