In Magdalena, a farm is integrating pig production with organic bananas

At Finca El Recuerdo, located in La Gran Vía, in the banana-growing area of ​​Magdalena, a sustainable and efficient model has been established by integrating its organic banana production with pig farming. This innovative strategy has allowed the owner, Álvaro González Mitchell, optimize the resources available on your property, contributing to the care of the environment and improving the profitability of your crops.

In an interview for Livestock CONtextGonzález explained how he has managed to merge both production systems: “We integrate the agricultural part with the livestock part”. The farm, which exports 18 containers of bananas weekly, of which 70% is organic, is also dedicated to the production of Keitt mango on 50 hectareswhile another 50 hectares are devoted to organic bananas. Additionally, the farm has a pig farm that houses around 2,200 animals, including 240 sows.

One of the highlights of this integration is the use of waste generated by pig production.Pig waste became a solution for us,” González says. On the pig farm, urine and excrement waste is channeled into biodigesters, where biogas is produced. This biogas is used for cooking food both in the main house and in the farm employees’ kitchen. In addition,biodigesters generate biol, an organic fertilizer that is used in the fertilization of banana crops through the fertigation system, which has allowed us to reduce the purchase of chemical fertilizers.

The process does not end there. The remaining solids from the pig waste are converted in compost, which is used as solid organic fertilizer in cropsThis circular approach has not only enabled the farm to optimise its use of resources, but has also generated significant environmental benefits.

Finca El Recuerdo has also taken important steps towards energy sustainability. Currently, A 30 kilowatt solar panel system is being installed to generate renewable energywhich will contribute to reducing the farm’s carbon footprint.

González has also undertaken reforestation efforts on his farm, where deforestation had previously been reported on some hills. Thanks to the creation of a 42-hectare forest reservethe local fauna has begun to re-emerge, demonstrating the positive impact of these actions on the biodiversity of the area.

The model implemented at Finca El Recuerdo is a clear example of how the integration of different agricultural and livestock activities can lead to more sustainable and efficient production, benefiting both the producer and the environment.