General Description
The Finca Las Chatías project in Guatemala uses bamboo agroforestry to store carbon and regenerate degraded soils. With its fast growth, high biomass yield, and ability to thrive without synthetic inputs, bamboo offers a scalable solution to land degradation and climate change.
This project converts former sugarcane fields—left ecologically depleted after decades of intensive monoculture—into biodiverse bamboo plantations. By integrating permaculture principles, organic soil management, and intercropping systems, the project enhances carbon storage in both biomass and soil. It contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including climate action, sustainable land use, biodiversity restoration, and rural livelihoods.
The plantation sequesters carbon while promoting resilience against climate-related risks in a region frequently affected by flooding and poverty.
About the Remover
Finca Las Chatías is located in Los Cerritos village, Chiquimulilla, in southern Guatemala—a region historically dominated by industrial sugarcane farming. The project is led by local landowners and sustainability advocates who aim to create long-term environmental and social value through regenerative agriculture.
The initiative places strong emphasis on community engagement, particularly empowering women through employment, training, and leadership opportunities. Local labour is prioritized, and traditional irrigation systems (Quinel) are used to minimize water impact.
The plantation applies sustainable practices, including:
Organic fertilization (compost, bokashi, earthworm leachate)
Natural pest control using local predator species
Integration of native and secondary crops for food and income diversification
Erosion control and soil regeneration techniques
The bamboo plants were planted in 2025 and the project is expected to provide measurable social and environmental benefits over the long term. The project serves as a replicable model for sustainable land recovery and climate-positive agriculture in Central America.