258
B. Borsari et al.
these for subsistence, yet they were replaced mostly by monocultures, as predicated
by modern approaches to agriculture that followed the principles of the twentieth
century’s ‘green revolution’ (Borsari 2011). Agriculture remains a pivotal economic
activity for Panamá, with 14.5% of its inhabitants employed in it in 2017, and with
Chiriquí province producing 80% of the national agricultural output (Embassy of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands 2018). Chiriquí has been introducing agritourism as
a distinctive market niche for tourists interested in experiencing the cycle of coffee
production: from cultivation to harvest and degustation. However, Heckadon-Moreno
and Espinoza-González (1985) expressed concerns for the fast changes affecting
landscapes that followed an intensification of agriculture in Panamá, urging the need
to find a balance between farming and nature. Tarté (2012) conceded that ecological
illiteracy has been in part responsible for the environmental deterioration caused by
agriculture and other human activities in the country. In his opinion, more effective approaches in environmental education should be adopted in order to develop a
culture for conservation and restoration, which is much needed in Panamá. Present
challenges posed by global climate change demand an implementation of strategies that are ecologically sound for tourism, agriculture and other economic activities. Experts contend that the farming systems’ resiliency depends on agrobiodiversity (Altieri 1999; Altieri and Toledo 2011; Gliessman 2015), as the resiliency of
ecosystems depends on biodiversity (Hunt et al. 2014; Schloegel 2007). Therefore,
it is plausible to think that ecotourism and agritourism are intertwined models for
tourism in Panamá. If these can achieve a balance with the ecosystems’ conservation,
then Panamá could model sustainable development through these forms of tourism,
beyond its national borders. For these reasons, we argued that a durable, successful
ecotourism in Panamá should strengthen a harmonious relationship between ecosystems and agriculture. The purpose of this work focused on demonstrating how a
coexistence between farming and conservation in a tropical environment benefits
agriculture and makes it more adaptive to the challenges brought about by global
climate change. A second purpose of our study consisted in presenting the experience gained by Oteima Technological University (OTU) and Batipa Field Institute
(BFI) in serving students to develop knowledge, skills and values about stewardship
through residential, study experiences at BFI. The first objective considered how
biodiversity benefitted cattle raising and silviculture (Tectona grandis). The second
objective evaluated how ecotourism programs designed for college students (national
and international) by Oteima Technological University at BFI contributed to transformative learning. This was achieved through an evaluation of various study/learning
opportunities that have been offered at Batipa Field Institute since 2014.
1.1 Batipa Field Institute
Batipa Field Institute (BFI) is a property of 2000 ha located on a peninsula sided by
the rivers Rio Chorcha and Boca Brava (8° 19
18
N, 82° 14
23
W), 40 km east of
the city of David, along the Pan-American Highway, in Chiriquí province, Panamá.
B. Borsari et al.
these for subsistence, yet they were replaced mostly by monocultures, as predicated
by modern approaches to agriculture that followed the principles of the twentieth
century’s ‘green revolution’ (Borsari 2011). Agriculture remains a pivotal economic
activity for Panamá, with 14.5% of its inhabitants employed in it in 2017, and with
Chiriquí province producing 80% of the national agricultural output (Embassy of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands 2018). Chiriquí has been introducing agritourism as
a distinctive market niche for tourists interested in experiencing the cycle of coffee
production: from cultivation to harvest and degustation. However, Heckadon-Moreno
and Espinoza-González (1985) expressed concerns for the fast changes affecting
landscapes that followed an intensification of agriculture in Panamá, urging the need
to find a balance between farming and nature. Tarté (2012) conceded that ecological
illiteracy has been in part responsible for the environmental deterioration caused by
agriculture and other human activities in the country. In his opinion, more effective approaches in environmental education should be adopted in order to develop a
culture for conservation and restoration, which is much needed in Panamá. Present
challenges posed by global climate change demand an implementation of strategies that are ecologically sound for tourism, agriculture and other economic activities. Experts contend that the farming systems’ resiliency depends on agrobiodiversity (Altieri 1999; Altieri and Toledo 2011; Gliessman 2015), as the resiliency of
ecosystems depends on biodiversity (Hunt et al. 2014; Schloegel 2007). Therefore,
it is plausible to think that ecotourism and agritourism are intertwined models for
tourism in Panamá. If these can achieve a balance with the ecosystems’ conservation,
then Panamá could model sustainable development through these forms of tourism,
beyond its national borders. For these reasons, we argued that a durable, successful
ecotourism in Panamá should strengthen a harmonious relationship between ecosystems and agriculture. The purpose of this work focused on demonstrating how a
coexistence between farming and conservation in a tropical environment benefits
agriculture and makes it more adaptive to the challenges brought about by global
climate change. A second purpose of our study consisted in presenting the experience gained by Oteima Technological University (OTU) and Batipa Field Institute
(BFI) in serving students to develop knowledge, skills and values about stewardship
through residential, study experiences at BFI. The first objective considered how
biodiversity benefitted cattle raising and silviculture (Tectona grandis). The second
objective evaluated how ecotourism programs designed for college students (national
and international) by Oteima Technological University at BFI contributed to transformative learning. This was achieved through an evaluation of various study/learning
opportunities that have been offered at Batipa Field Institute since 2014.
1.1 Batipa Field Institute
Batipa Field Institute (BFI) is a property of 2000 ha located on a peninsula sided by
the rivers Rio Chorcha and Boca Brava (8° 19
18
N, 82° 14
23
W), 40 km east of
the city of David, along the Pan-American Highway, in Chiriquí province, Panamá.