Eco Technology for Indigenous Families in Mexico

On Tuesday, March 16, all donations up to $1,000 per donor, per project will be matched. Donate on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, and maximize your gift. At both demonstrations sites in Chiapas and Michoacán, IRRI provided 3 1-week training workshops for 25 community members on eco-technologies (such as wood-saving stoves and biodigesters). The participants are part of a “train-the-trainer” model. This model trains community members with skills building, informational workshops, and technical support with the goal that they will later start their own training courses in their own communities. With your support, participants have learned how biodigesters work through hands-on workshops using the biodigestor that was installed at the demonstration site (the biodigestor currently creates enough energy to run the site). The goal is to demonstrate how families can implement similar system themselves. More community groups are requested training. With more support, IRRI can provide training to community groups in rural and urban areas all over Mexico on renewable energy and appropriate green technologies for food security, water access, and conservation.

Our most recent update from the field reports that IRRI's work is right on track.

The installation of integrated pigpens at both sites in Michoacán and Chiapas is underway. These pigpens include waste drainage systems to transfer pig manure to the biodigestors. Appropriate spaces for the biodigestors and rainwater capturing tanks have been prepped and are ready for use.

Already, the Michoacán site has been able to acquire some livestock including pigs for their animal farm. The pigs are necessary for the biodiogester as they create the manure needed to power the biodigestor, which in turn provides energy for the site. It demonstrates how families can implement the same kind of system themselves. But beyond that, the pigs on site will be used for trainings on raising livestock sustainably.

The site in Chiapas has an area that is starting to grow organic vegetables and medicinal plants. They have also started the construction of wood-saving stoves, but need more support as they there is a long the waiting list of families wanting these stoves.

Women are the main beneficiaries of the wood-saving stoves as they are the ones who prepare food and most exposed to smoke from traditional fires. The stoves are also used to heat homes on cold days. Already, the wood-saving stoves constructed are reducing the burning of trees in the area and providing health benefits to families. With further support, even more trees can be saved and more families can benefit!