3,000 Guatemalan Farmers Graduate from Poverty

SID’s Innovative Regional Program that gives all farmers a chance to graduate from poverty is going well. The methodology is proving to be effective, farmers are pleased with the assistance, and local partners are helping carry out the program.

Progress to date:

Activity 1: Farmers define the practices they need to adopt in order to increase their income from coffee.  We completed this activity in November and December 2018.  676 farmers representing 183 rural communities met and defined the practices they need to adopt. Half of the participants were women.

Activity 2: Municipal and local partners broadcast knowledge of the practices and encourage their adoption.  We met with municipal officials, rural radios, primary school teachers in monthly PTA meetings, and other NGOs and they agreed to broadcast knowledge of the practices and encourage their adoption.  We have produced simple educational materials that the partners will use.

Activity 3: SID conducts demonstration fairs in the practices in centrally located communities.  In January we began fairs in husking coffee for a higher price and have completed eight.  They have been well attended, and half of the attendees have been women.

Activity 4:  SID trains and supervises promoters for “leader communities” that choose a market-based option for agricultural extension.  We have begun to meet with communities that are interested in becoming leader communities.  They are submitting proposals.  We will select the leader communities by mid-March and begin the activities.

Thank you for partnering with SID and the coffee-farming families to help them make a sustainable living.

Links:

• SID Website
• SID's Guidestar Profile