Food Security in Northern Choluteca, Honduras
Honduran farmer. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT |
Comision Cristiana de Desarrollo (CCD)
The Christian Commission for Development
The Christian Commission for Development is an ecumenical non-governmental organization whose purpose is to contribute to the construction of a democratic society and sustainable human development, and to generate local and regional development projects in Honduras, promoting citizen participation focusing on gender, culture, faith, and the environment. CCD's work is inspired by Galatians 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people."
One hundred women and men in northern Choluteca – about 20 from each of five communities -- are taking part in this Church World Service-supported Food Security project to increase the amount of food available for their families. The farmers represent 100 low-income families who have lost crops and do not have the economic reserves to recover. Though malnourishment can be seen throughout the community, it is most visible in the most vulnerable – children under five and pregnant women.
Climate change in Central America has altered crop cycles. In Honduras, hardest hit by these changes is northern Choluteca Commonwealth, where the people suffer food shortages from April to August each year. The government has declared northern Choluteca an Emergency Zone because of the shortage of food. The farmers do not have access to expensive improved seed varieties or bank credit. And, free pollination varieties of seed are no longer available.
The alternative for farmers to using expensive "improved" seed varieties is to develop – or rescue and classify – their own local seeds and rootstocks. CCD has already run a similar project with 27 farmers in five communities in Quimistan Municipality, Santa Barbara Department, with outstanding results. One of the basic problems in seed production is bad weather – particularly drought. In spite of this, the Quimistan project was successful because of the level of experience and the commitment of the farmers and the sites that were chosen for planting.
The objective of the Choluteca project is to develop seed and rootstocks – corn, beans, yucca, plantains, sweet potatoes, and other roots -- suitable to the area. Local agricultural committees have been put together to work on the seed and vegetable rootstock production. At least 12 silos are being constructed for use as seed banks.
A CCD technical team is helping one hundred farmers to learn how to produce local seed and vegetable rootstock, grow crops on slopes, conserve soil, and use organic fertilizers. The farmers are also learning about post harvest management, marketing, economics, administration, project monitoring, and evaluation.
Updated 8/19/2005
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