Nicaragua Matagalpa
$88,010 needed of $100,000
Implementing Organization
World Renew
Program Summary
The Nicaragua Matagalpa program works with communities in the northern mountains of the country. Here, increased periods of drought make farming difficult.
This program helps farmers adapt to these challenges and implement resilient agricultural practices. New farming techniques are tested and promoted through farmer field schools. Trainings cover topics such as integrated pest management, soil fertility, crop diversification, and the use and storage of seeds. Recognizing the interconnectedness of food security and health, the program promotes strategies to improve community nutritional education, particularly for mothers and infants. The program also works to strengthen community savings and loan groups, so farmers can pursue agricultural projects and start small businesses.
Blanca's Story - Nicaragua Matagalpa
Success Stories
Diversifying Crops and Economic Activities
Alba, 34, is a married homemaker and mother of two who has held a leadership position in her community for four years. She owns seven-and-a-half acres of land. A little under a third of it is planted with coffee and bananas, and the rest she reserves for grains, forestry, and seasonal crops.
About a year ago, she learned about local partner CIEETS at a community assembly and joined their hands-on Farmer Field School. She received training in agriculture and soon established a small plot for yuca (a tuber), plantains, and beans to improve her family’s nutrition and generate extra income.
Through the Farmer Field School, she received materials and instruction on how to build a pig pen so she could begin raising pigs. After she’d built the enclosure, she received a breeding sow to begin her operations.
Then, six months ago, Alba joined a Savings and Internal Lending Group, or SILC. As a member, she and her peers save money together and make small loans to each other to support their agricultural activities and start small businesses. She will use her loans to achieve her goals, which she says include continuing to diversify her crops to improve her family’s diet, and expand her pig farming to generate income for her children’s education.
Alba says she is grateful to CIEETS staff for their support, including seeds, planting materials, and valuable training.
Nicaragua Matagalpa
Led by Word Renew and Local Partner Centro Inter Eclesial de Estudios Tecnologicos y Sociales (CIEETS)