IFAD, Rene Castro

Guatemala and Honduras lie in the heart of the Dry Corridor—a dry strip of land running throughout Central America that is particularly exposed to climate change. As well as economic and geographic ties, the two countries also share challenges—including inequality, malnutrition and violence—prompting many to migrate north to the United States.

But change is unfolding. Rural communities are tackling these challenges, with passion, hope, commitment, as well as international support.

On a recent visit with the US Ambassador to the UN agencies based in Rome, Cindy McCain, I saw the work of fellow Rome-based agencies (FAO and WFP) and presented IFAD’s efforts. Together, we witnessed how Guatemalan and Honduran smallholder farmers are transforming rural communities into places where people can earn a living, grow food, and thrive—with the right support.

School meals—direct from the school gardens

In the hills of southern Guatemala lies the Aldea Veguitas school. It is one of 60 schools taking part in a joint IFAD-FAO-WFP School Feeding Programme, which helped Guatemala’s Government introduce and implement the School Nutrition Law. This law requires schools to buy 50 per cent of the food they provide to pupils from local smallholder farmers.

The effects of this law are visible: 60 school gardens have been created; 800 mothers have been trained in nutrition, health and hygiene; and over 300 small producers are supplying schools with nutritious and safe food.

“Our lives have improved a lot,” explains Gabriel Ramírez Hernández, from the Jocotán Producers’ Network. “Now, we have a sure buyer and a better price”. Santos Encarnación Ávalos, who coordinates the network, agrees. “Before this programme, it was very difficult to sell our products to the schools, because big supermarket chains took it all. Now everything has changed for the better”.

See more https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/seeing-change-happen-before-our-eyes-in-guatemala-and-honduras