Coquimbo Region launches reforestation and soil recovery program

The Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM) has launched an academic program in the Coquimbo Region of Chile to combat desertification and restore degraded soils. Supported by the Regional Government of Coquimbo through a $300 million investment from the National Fund for Regional Development (FNDR), the initiative aims to create “functional forests” using biotechnological tools.

The project includes the construction of three technified nurseries in the rural areas of Paihuano, Andacollo, and Ovalle. The plan involves planting 1,000 native trees, such as chañares, algarrobos, and atriplex, across three pilot sites totaling three hectares. This agroforestry model combines native forest conservation with sustainable forage production for goat livestock.

Supported by the Forestry Institute (Infor) and the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), the program directly benefits three agricultural communities: Comunidad Estero Derecho, Comunidad La Caldera y Damas, and the Asociación Gremial de Comunidades Agrícolas de la Provincia del Limarí. Additionally, the initiative includes environmental education workshops for over 300 rural school students.