TechnoServe will expand its successful programs diversifying agricultural production in coffee farming areas across Central America to the agricultural communities of Matagalpa and Jinotega, Nicaragua
In the last decade, coffee farmers have faced incredible economic challenges posed by the downturn of the global coffee market as well as destructive natural disasters. Though volatility in global coffee prices continues to pose a challenge to the livelihoods of small farmers, it has also created opportunity for positive transformation in the horticulture industry. Diversification out of low-grade coffee into high-value horticultural crops will increase small farmer income and reduce poverty
a)Increase the variety of crops produced, b)Improve production methods to increase yields and quality, c)Increase the number of farmer entrepreneurs, d)Create income through increased local processing e)Establish sound farmer associations
In total, TechnoServe assistance will result in $5.4 million of sales with full-time equivalent employment of 1,600 workers and $912,000 in wages paid.
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
