At least 1,700 producers associated to 23 cooperatives in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua will benefit from new knowledge and possible alliances, thanks to an exchange with companies and institutions in Belgium, as reported by the international organization Rikolto in a statement.
In the case of Honduras, the Consorcio Agrocomercial, made up of eight fruit and vegetable organizations, and the Universidad Panamericana Agricola Zamorano, are taking part in a regional exchange with Belgian horticultural companies and institutions, held in Belgium between 16 and 23 June, said the Belgian Rikolto.
The activity is taking place in the framework of the project "Knowledge management for the sustainable production of vegetables in Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua", developed by Rikolto between 2017 and 2019.
The event is funded by and has the technical support from institutions and companies in the Belgian province of West Flanders, such as Inagro, REO Veiling, Bert Depoorter, Tomabel, De Lochting and ARDO.
According to the Global Climate Risk Index (IRC), prepared by Germanwatch, this year, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala will continue to be among the 20 countries most affected by climate change (1997-2016).
This is taking a toll on small vegetable producer organizations, who already face technical, business and productive limitations, said the coordinator of the Rikolto project, Guillermo Gutiérrez.
He added that at Rikolto they are convinced that collective learning involving producers, academics and companies involved in the horticultural sector can contribute to the production of healthy and quality vegetables in the region, "which translates into a healthy population and a better income for small growers and their families."
The goal of the exchange is to reflect on the situation of those taking part and generate new knowledge about technologies and innovation, as well as about the processing and marketing of vegetables. Moreover, they will be pursuing the signing of alliances and deals between the delegations of Central America and Belgium.
The commercial manager of Consorcio Agrocomercial, César Maradiaga, said that the prospect is to share and learn about the experiences of other countries and the western region of Belgium.
"We hope to learn about new practices or business and productive models, as well as about technological innovations," he added.
Maradiaga stressed that the skills of the cooperative members of the Consortium, made up of 711 producers, of which 29 percent are women, will be strengthened.
Also participating in the exchange on Guatemala's part are the non-governmental organization Adisagua, of the Fair Fruit company, representing nine horticultural cooperatives in that country, and the University of the Valley of Guatemala (UVG).
Nicaragua is represented by the vegetable cooperatives Tomatoya and Eco Vegetales.
The Central American delegation will visit the facilities and hold meetings with the companies Inagro, REO Veiling, De Lochting and ARDO.
The event will be closed by Rikolto with the collaboration of the province of West Flanders in the House of Food.
As part of the project, in July 2017, a Field School (ECA) was held focused on the open ground cultivation of carrots (of the Bangor variety) and lettuce (of the Alexa variety).
Fourteen technical advisers from four organizations that make up the Consortium graduated from this school as facilitators: Empresa Hortícola La Meseta, Empresa Hortícola Lepaterique (Hortisa), Productores de Vegetales del Izopo y Azacualpa (Proviasa) and the company Tropical Yojoa.
The ECA was organised in partnership with the Regional Innovation Centre for Vegetables and Fruits of the University of Zamorano and the National Service for Agricultural Health (SENASA).
Source: EFE