The Second Encounter of Small Farm Communities was held April 18, 2008, providing a forum for highlighting the role played by these communities in regional development and for understanding, analyzing and debating the implications of draft legislation (bills 1770, 1900 and 1992) being debated in Congress, and Legislative Decree Nº 994, which promotes private investment in irrigation projects for expanding agricultural areas. The event drew representatives of 25 small farm communities in Piura and three in Lambayeque, who signed a “Farmers’ Declaration.” Leaders and authorities of the Piura Regional also participated, along with representatives of various public agencies and private organizations.

The event demonstrated the communities’ interest in joining forces and centralizing efforts to collaborate in strategies for solving common problems, such as the defense of natural resources, land titling, access to basic services, personal development, agricultural production and markets. This was the conclusion of the 332 community members and leaders who participated in the encounter.

One of the main agreements was to establish a Statutes Commission, formed by the event’s steering committee and including the small farm communities of San Juan Bautista de Catacaos, José Ignacio Távara Pasapera, San Lucas de Colán, Querecotillo and Salitral, La Menta and Cury Lagartos.

As a result of efforts by Heifer Peru-Northern Zone since April 28, 2007, and the work of the Rural Coordinating Committee (Coordinadora Rural), as well as the hard work and dedication of community leaders, on June 17, 2008 the organization known as “CECOBOSQUE”was formed. This second-tier organization includes the 32 communities located in the dry forest. The process, which began more than a year earlier and culminated with the formation of CECOBOSQUE, was marked by many lessons and challenges. This association of communities will face many challenges in the future, given the situation in the region and in Peru.