Farmers teaching farmers
Luciano Flores and Fernando Ccatamayo, two young cattle ranchers, heard about regenerative cattle ranching for the first time in 2019 and 2021, respectively. They were interested and joined more than 250 ranching families to learn about good livestock and soil friendly practices through Field Schools (ECAs) in Madre de Dios.
Convinced of what they learned, they saw an opportunity to improve their farms and decided to make the transition from extensive cattle ranching to sustainable and environmentally friendly ranching. At the beginning they did not imagine that their life stories would also change, becoming leaders for the third generation of cattle ranchers who are learning about this regenerative model.
Luciano Flores, better known as “Chano”, has a deep ranching heritage, he followed in the footsteps of his grandparents and parents in the field. After two years of training and observation, he applied the regenerative livestock model on his own farm. The positive results led him to extend his experience outside of Madre de Dios together with WWF's technical team, sharing what he learned in Pasco and Huánuco.
Livestock farming in Peru transfers the same techniques for working the land from generation to generation, so it is a challenge for farmers to believe in and implement new models, especially those that generate sustainability and profitability. After 4 years, Chano recognizes that talking about regenerative livestock farming, from farmer to farmer, has allowed him to motivate and advise other producers in a successful way. In addition, the knowledge he has acquired has transformed him into a specialist in the area and he continues participating in spaces that allow him to keep learning.
“I was very surprised to be chosen to teach others what I learned,” admits Luciano. “I visited Pasco and Huánuco, and it was very encouraging to learn about new systems and meet new ranchers. I made many friends, as time went by I felt at home and I am still in contact with them. The experience allowed me to see the positive impact we can have. Each trip reinforces my confidence and shows me that livestock farming can be sustainable and environmentally friendly. Since last year, I have decided to strengthen my knowledge by studying Agronomy in my region so that I will have better tools to share”.
Fernando Ccatamayo, Luciano's partner, also comes from a cattle-raising family background, a key factor that motivated him to become a veterinarian. After the training at the field schools, he had the difficult task of convincing his parents to start using the regenerative livestock farming model on their farm, and although he remembers that he almost gave up, today he cannot imagine any other way to achieve the welfare of the cattle and his family.
“This year I was invited to be a technical advisor for the Tambopata region and it is an honor for me. It is a joy to tell my story and show more ranchers how I changed my way of working because I feel it motivates them a lot to start. They call me to help them install electric fences, rotate cattle, make bio-inputs and monitor their progress. Now they are my friends and I advise them with total satisfaction,” says Ccatamayo.
Both ranchers stopped deforesting and burning their pastures to apply techniques that restore the soil in a natural way, and as a result improve the well-being of their cattle. However, they recognize that challenges persist with their new roles. “One of the main challenges is convincing people to change the way they do livestock farming, we can't control it, but we are hopeful that by demonstrating that the model is profitable and beneficial others will join in. Dedication is essential to maintain sustainability,” says Luciano.
Fernando and Luciano's compromise is transforming cattle ranching in Peru and creating a lasting impact on the way ranchers think about and practice their work. Their efforts to educate and share their knowledge demonstrate that change is possible and that a future that ensures the well-being of the next generation is within reach.
Convinced of what they learned, they saw an opportunity to improve their farms and decided to make the transition from extensive cattle ranching to sustainable and environmentally friendly ranching. At the beginning they did not imagine that their life stories would also change, becoming leaders for the third generation of cattle ranchers who are learning about this regenerative model.
Luciano Flores, better known as “Chano”, has a deep ranching heritage, he followed in the footsteps of his grandparents and parents in the field. After two years of training and observation, he applied the regenerative livestock model on his own farm. The positive results led him to extend his experience outside of Madre de Dios together with WWF's technical team, sharing what he learned in Pasco and Huánuco.
Livestock farming in Peru transfers the same techniques for working the land from generation to generation, so it is a challenge for farmers to believe in and implement new models, especially those that generate sustainability and profitability. After 4 years, Chano recognizes that talking about regenerative livestock farming, from farmer to farmer, has allowed him to motivate and advise other producers in a successful way. In addition, the knowledge he has acquired has transformed him into a specialist in the area and he continues participating in spaces that allow him to keep learning.
“I was very surprised to be chosen to teach others what I learned,” admits Luciano. “I visited Pasco and Huánuco, and it was very encouraging to learn about new systems and meet new ranchers. I made many friends, as time went by I felt at home and I am still in contact with them. The experience allowed me to see the positive impact we can have. Each trip reinforces my confidence and shows me that livestock farming can be sustainable and environmentally friendly. Since last year, I have decided to strengthen my knowledge by studying Agronomy in my region so that I will have better tools to share”.
Fernando Ccatamayo, Luciano's partner, also comes from a cattle-raising family background, a key factor that motivated him to become a veterinarian. After the training at the field schools, he had the difficult task of convincing his parents to start using the regenerative livestock farming model on their farm, and although he remembers that he almost gave up, today he cannot imagine any other way to achieve the welfare of the cattle and his family.
“This year I was invited to be a technical advisor for the Tambopata region and it is an honor for me. It is a joy to tell my story and show more ranchers how I changed my way of working because I feel it motivates them a lot to start. They call me to help them install electric fences, rotate cattle, make bio-inputs and monitor their progress. Now they are my friends and I advise them with total satisfaction,” says Ccatamayo.
Both ranchers stopped deforesting and burning their pastures to apply techniques that restore the soil in a natural way, and as a result improve the well-being of their cattle. However, they recognize that challenges persist with their new roles. “One of the main challenges is convincing people to change the way they do livestock farming, we can't control it, but we are hopeful that by demonstrating that the model is profitable and beneficial others will join in. Dedication is essential to maintain sustainability,” says Luciano.
Fernando and Luciano's compromise is transforming cattle ranching in Peru and creating a lasting impact on the way ranchers think about and practice their work. Their efforts to educate and share their knowledge demonstrate that change is possible and that a future that ensures the well-being of the next generation is within reach.