Reforestation in Southern Mexico

Tabasco has lost over 18% of its tree cover in the last 20 years due to ongoing slash and burn practices common place in cattle ranching operations which has led to 55% of its land being categorized as pastureland.

This project will reforest a 330-hectare farm of degraded pastureland in Tabasco, Mexico by planting 430,000 cacao and shade trees creating the largest cacao agroforestry project in Mexico capturing and storing over 225,000 tCO2e during the 25-year lifespan of the project.

SDG Goals:

The project will produce premium cacao beans, grass fed cattle and be financially supported by the carbon credits certified through the carbon capture capacity of the planting of new trees and increase soil carbon health.

Agroforestry is a concept that combines forestry and agriculture in a holistic ecosystems approach where trees provide the shade and nutrients to the main crop while supporting species biodiversity, water quality and reducing the need to agrochemical inputs. It is a traditional farming model which now thanks to carbon credit finance Pact Capital aims to bring back and scale out to achieve positive net zero impact on our natural landscapes.

Project will document employee’s data via questionnaire to ensure better economic conditions offered during activity.

The afforestation work in the activity will help increase soil carbon levels and regenerate soil health creating more resilient systems. The drip irrigation component ensures mitigation of extreme weather events. Furthermore, the activity will maintain a seed plant germplasm bank and catalogue the better growing varietals for the region offering enhanced genetics for expanded farming specific to the region's climate needs.

The project will offer yearly onsite medical checkups for its staff and laborers as well as safe working conditions.

The farm will focus on women’s inclusion and prioritize nursery plant management technical vocational training to local women’s groups.

Agroforestry systems have been proven to increase soil and ground water collection for aquifers.

The farm will need 25 full time employees with an additional 50 part time seasonal during harvest. Creating solid jobs with benefits in a depressed region of the country.

The project will have a biochar component as well as vermicompost to support recycling and circular economy principles.

The project will capture 225,000 tCO2e during its lifetime and support resilient biodiverse habitat.

The project will increase forested land under our boundaries by implementing an agroforestry system on degraded pasture land.