Part 3 of Global Minds Series Features Dr. Fabricio Camacho-Céspedes, an Expert in Agroforestry and Natural Sciences
Editor’s Note: Previous speakers in the Global Minds Series included Dr. Kendra Reynolds from Northern Ireland on anti-fairy tales and Dr. Martin Jirušek from the Czech Republic on energy geopolitics.
Dr. Fabricio Camacho-Céspedes is a professor of Agroforestry Systems at the School of Forestry and Wildlife Management at Costa Rica’s National Technical University. He graduated from Costa Rica’s National Distance University with a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences for Development with a focus on agricultural production systems.
Dr. Fabricio Camacho-Céspedes defines agroforestry.
Dr. Camacho-Céspedes discussed how he stays updated in his field, which is agroforestry – the use of trees in agricultural systems to improve the environment. He combines traditional indigenous knowledge with modern scientific advancements. His approach involves not just learning from academic sources but also directly engaging with indigenous communities and understanding their farming practices. He also maintains a network of international colleagues with whom he shares ideas and research, which helps him stay at the forefront of developments in his field.
Dr. Fabricio Camacho-Céspedes is an enthusiastic advocate for the preservation of nature.
In an interview with the TCC Connection, Dr. Fabricio Camacho-Céspedes started by talking about his passion, which is nature conservation. He underlined how crucial it is to realize that everything in our environment is the result of evolution, which has shaped the world as we know it over millions of years. Regretfully, humanity has seriously harmed this balance in the last several centuries.
Working with the Bribri and Cabecar tribes in southern Costa Rica was one of Dr. Camacho-Céspedes’ most important experiences. This experience of working closely with indigenous people, Dr. Camacho-Céspedes explained, was transformative. Despite his formal education in science and technology, living and learning from the indigenous people revealed to him how limited his knowledge was in comparison to their deep understanding of nature. Dr. Camacho-Céspedes gained their trust over time and was even accepted as a member of the community. Humility and willingness to absorb indigenous wisdom are, in his opinion, essential to the process of healing our world. He saw that their worldview is characterized by simplicity and a deep reverence for nature – values he believes are necessary for effective ecological restoration.
Indigenous people have inherent respect for nature.
When asked about the most valuable lesson he learned from the indigenous people, Dr. Camacho-Céspedes spoke of their innate respect for nature. “The Bribri and Cabecar people have a natural synchrony with their environment,” he explains. “It is a respect for nature that is neither trendy nor forced but simply an intrinsic part of their existence.” This authentic connection to the environment is something he found essential to his work.
Current challenges are in agroforestry include.
According to Dr. Camacho-Céspedes, one of the main issues facing agroforestry today is the requirement for local adoption of sustainable farming methods. Even though academic institutions and research centers have shown how successful agroforestry is throughout the world, bringing these examples to local people is the next step. He said, “For farmers to completely adopt these practices, they must first witness measurable outcomes – both in terms of the environment and the economy.”
Dr. Camacho-Céspedes established the Tropical Agroforestry Institute to tackle this challenge. His mission with this project is to show that a farm can be turned into a healthy agroecosystem, even if it has been badly damaged by years of mismanagement. The institute functions as a teaching center and model farm, where farmers and students can acquire the information necessary to adopt sustainable farming practices in their local communities.
A microfinance fund managed by the Tropical Agroforestry Institute offers low-interest loans to farmers pursuing sustainable farming practices. This revolving fund is intended to assist farms in implementing cutting-edge technology, such as biodigesters, which turn organic waste products like manure into useful resources. According to Dr. Camacho-Céspedes, “we hope to spread the principles of agroforestry by empowering farmers with both knowledge and financial support.”
Final piece of advice from Dr. Camacho-Céspedes.
Dr. Camacho-Céspedes emphasized the importance of persistence in achieving one’s goals and objectives no matter what. “When you’re set on a goal, there will always be roadblocks – people telling you no, not enough time, not enough money, or that you’re not capable,” he shares. Despite these obstacles, he emphasizes that perseverance – rather than brilliance or unique talents – is what counts most.
The journey of Dr. Camacho-Céspedes serves as a reminder that sustainable agriculture includes more than the mere application of scientific concepts. It involves the recognition and appreciation of historical knowledge, the acceptance of current diversity, and collaborative efforts toward constructing a more promising future for everyone. With his expertise in agroforestry, he is contributing to the establishment of a global environment where nature and agriculture coexist harmoniously, and where the knowledge gained from both scientific research and traditional practices directs us toward a future that is more sustainable and resilient.
To contact Dr. Fabricio Camacho-Céspedes, you can reach him at fcamacho@cct.or.cr
P.S. In conclusion, I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Fabricio Camacho-Céspedes for generously sharing the information regarding his current initiatives and for devoting the time to conducting this interview. I want to give special appreciation to Dr. Douglas Price for helping to arrange this interview.