Guatemala Totonicapan program 2600-5007
Report: October 21, 2009
Summary report for the period from January to June, 2009
In much of Guatemala, indigenous communities live in isolated, mountainous areas. Chronic poverty exacerbated by illiteracy and high unemployment contributes to internal and external migration. Most communities depend principally on little more than corn and beans for their subsistence. Limited knowledge of alternative agricultural practices, coupled with agrochemical use and deforestation, have resulted in environmental degradation such as soil contamination and erosion, and the resulting pollution of water. Health problems including respiratory infections, parasites and malnutrition are common. Low self-esteem and lack of knowledge regarding the possibilities for improvements in farming and nutrition impede community efforts to make change.
The goal of this project is to improve the capacity of indigenous groups in 16 communities to establish practices that ensure sustained access to improved food and nutrition.
Over four years, the project improved the lives of 484 families in 29 communities. CIEDEG implemented this project with three local organizations (two are women’s organizations. Indeed, women were the main protagonists.)
The project succeeded in diversifying production, with organic farming methods. It strengthened soil conservation practices, and joint marketing of foodstuffs, which increased family incomes. All of these were achieved by training and accompaniment in native indigenous languages, in addition to provision of seeds, animals, plants and materials.
During the report period, the organizations made strides on diversifying vegetable production and introducing rabbit production:
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Greenhouses were introduced for the growing of tomatoes.
- Training on alternative, organic plague prevention for greenhouse tomatoes was introduced with a 97% effectiveness rate.
- Thirty-six families now have a 10-square meter family garden that produces carrots, turnips, radishes, spinach, zucchini, beets and cabbage.
- Another five communities are producing onion, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and celery in organoponic gardens and terraces.
- Another 86 women in three groups initiated production of radishes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, onions, turnips, and chard.
Five communities received 65 rabbits, and received the training and installations required to keep and breed them. Another 82 women in eight communities received 82 rabbits, as well as the training and installations to keep and breed them. In all communities, the women will be sharing the offspring with additional families, multiplying the impact of rabbit breeding.
In addition, the project provided 43 female and five male sheep to 43 families, and training on the building and maintenance of corrals. Other communities learned how to sow grasses to feed their sheep.
In summary, the new animals provide both protein and income for families, and the new vegetable production greatly improves and diversifies diets for families that used to be limited to rice and beans. All contribute to lasting food security that provides adequate food and nutrition throughout the year.