Last October, Guatemala experienced a period of political unrest, triggering protests and blockades on more than 100 roads throughout the country after the call for a national strike. Consequently, a strong impact has been generated on the economy, causing a shortage of food and fuel, an increase in inflation and a decrease in purchasing power. This crisis has seriously affected commercial activity by concentrating within the Pan-American route.
Given this situation, the project developed by the Social Promotion Foundation and our local partner Foundation for Integral Development (FUDI), with the support of the Madrid City Council, between March 2021 and June 2022, has been a great help. Thanks to him, our project technicians, Gema Talaván and Federico Crespo, during a visit to the field carried out between November 20 and 27, have verified how the rural population of Joya Grande has been able to cope with the increase in food prices and subsequent shortages.
Aimed at promoting access to the right to adequate and sustainable food, this project trained the women of this community in agricultural techniques. This has allowed them to start agricultural projects (such as the production of vegetables in macro tunnels and the cultivation of oyster mushrooms) and livestock projects (with the raising of birds for eggs) in a sustainable way.
Since then, these initiatives are not only guaranteeing food for households, but also surpluses for sale, providing access to nutritious food without depending exclusively on the local market.
A clear example is Elvira Ajozal, who has kept an agricultural project in operation with an approximate area of 3.5 meters wide by 20 meters long, under a macro tunnel structure. This technique not only optimizes water use and conserves soil moisture through the use of mulch plastic, but has also allowed it to produce during the driest times of the year.
Its localized irrigation technique, applied at least three times a week to each plant, and the implementation of systems such as drip irrigation tape and PVC hoses, have also been key strategies to face the crisis applied at least three times a week to each plant, and the implementation of systems such as drip irrigation tape and PVC hoses, have also been key strategies to face the crisis. applied at least three times a week to each plant, and the implementation of systems such as drip irrigation tape and PVC hoses, have also been key strategies to face the crisis.
The support received by Elvira Ajozal through the project has boosted her productive capacity by providing her with essential agricultural materials and inputs. From seeds to tools like pilons and fertilizers, these inputs have allowed her to produce her own vegetables, strengthening her family’s food security and generating additional income by selling surpluses in the community.
The positive impact of this project on this Guatemalan community, particularly in an aggravated context of limited economic resources and increased prices for agricultural inputs, highlights its importance in local development. The support received has allowed farmers like Elvira to start their productive activities and maintain adequate nutrition for their families.
Elvira’s effort and dedication have also made her a reference for her community. Her commitment to family farming, backed by project support, shows how the combination of both factors can generate significant change in people’s lives.
