Help Farmers in Nicaragua Move Out of Poverty

Summary

This project will increase the annual incomes of 1,500 small coffee farmers by promoting low-cost micro-irrigation technology, improved farming skills, and installing market systems.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Coffee provides a livelihood for 25 million people in developing countries, a majority of whom subsist below the poverty line. Recent rapid expansion in the global coffee market provides small coffee farmers an opportunity to increase earnings from their harvests. IDE works with farmers in Nicaragua to take advantage of these market opportunities by integrating farmers with the coffee value chains, and educating them on principles regarding quality, productivity, and sustainability standards.

How will this project solve this problem?

Introducing low cost drip irrigation systems and better agricultural training will provide 1,500 small land holding coffee farmers with real solutions and the means to increase their income year after year in a responsible, low-impact way.

Potential Long Term Impact

The project will allow 1,500 Nicaraguan coffee farmers to increase their annual income by an average of $2,500 to $3,000 annually by providing the means to compete in the rapidly growing international Specialty Coffee Market.

Project Message

The purpose of this project is to introduce low cost drip irrigation for coffee in Nicaragua and embed this technology into socially, environmentally and economically sustainable value chains.
- Urs Heierli, Project Consultant

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources