The Predio Experimental de la Agroforestería Andina - MOLLESNEJTA is a 16 ha farm where Joachim Stadler and Noemi Stadler-Kaulich aim to demonstrate how it is possible to restore degraded soil and carry out agricultural activities in harmony with nature in the semiarid Andean valley of Cochabamba, Bolivia. To carry this out, they have been experimenting with 35 different consortiums of agroforestry systems since 2000. The research station offers students of Bolivia and the world the possibility of learning by doing as well as to carry out scientific research. The results are disseminated by agroforestry projects in the region.

* Plantation of a large diversity of fruits, nuts, vegetables, spice and crop species in combination with a huge diversity of native species in the same space* Combination of perennial fruit species and native plants, giving preference to those which fix nitrogen and/or act like natural repellents* Combination of species with a different status in the natural succession (pioneer, secondary, primary) * Optimizing space use by producing in all strata (belowground and at different levels aboveground like in natural forests)* Planting of sensitive fruit species in the shelter of native bushes and trees* Maintenance of the plant community in a developing process (sub-climax status) trough periodic tree-pruning with the aim to stimulate the sprouting* Protection of soil using the organic material from tree-pruning as mulch

Students from Bolivia and all over the world are invited to carry out research projects (five theses have been tested to date). The network Espacio Compartido en Sistemas AgroForestales (ECOSAF - www.ecosaf.org) promots good practices and lessons learned obtained in Mollesnejta through, among other initiatives, agroforestry projects with financial help from, for example, NATUREFUND and the Ministry of International Cooperation (BMZ) from Germany. Furthermore, Noemi Stadler-Kaulich periodically gives agroforestry courses and shares the results of the work through participation in events, workshops, and related publications.

This private initiative is led by Joachim Stadler and Noemi Stadler-Kaulich. It is always possible to visit the initiative.

* Espacio Compartido en Sistemas Agroforestales (ECO-SAF) * Universidad Católica de Bolivia "San Pablo" - Cochabamba * Escuela Superior Forestal ESFOR de la Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba * NATUREFUND