Renewable Energy and Forest Conservation: Sustainable Harvest and Processing of Coffee and Allspice

This project links initiatives to preserve biodiversity and limit the expansion of the agricultural frontier in the buffer zone surrounding the Bosawas Reserve. The proposed OP#6 component would address the identified barriers to renewable energy adoption by providing the technical extension services needed to configure, install, maintain, and operate a decentralized dry beneficio using Solar/Biomass Coffee Drying Systems. The proposed OP#3 component would conserve forest habitats for globally significant biodiversity by supporting training and outreach efforts for communities and allspice harvesters in the buffer zone of the Bosawas Reserve. The main aim is to introduce sustainable extraction methods which would leave the forest habitiat in the buffer zone intact thereby conserving forest ecosystems and associated biodiversity. The component would assist local communities to utilize renewable energy technologies (solar and biofuel energy) to produce ground allspice and allspice essential oil from berries and leaves.