Food security despite climate change

Project background

The majority of the indigenous rural population in the department of Sololá depend on subsistence farming. 70% of these farming families are poor. The soils of their small fields produce little yield, because they overuse their natural resources. The erosion washes valuable topsoil from the steep slopes into the streams and further into Lake Atitlán, the largest freshwater reserve in Central America.

The mountain cloud forests in the department of Sololá are not only important for the livelihood of the population and for the regional water balance, they are also of national ecological importance for numerous species. However, many farmers are burning woodland to gain new farmland.

Our approach

With our project, we are helping 2,500 small farming families to make their land use more resource-efficient while still improving their crop yields. They learn agroecological farming methods as well as beekeeping and mushroom cultivation that helps them to generate income. They also learn how to use and maintain the forests sustainably. We raise awareness among various groups of the population about resource conservation and support the authorities in implementing organised land-use planning.

Project goals

2,500 farming families have become more resilient and are empowered to manage their natural resources sustainably.

• The population’s ability to protect water resources and the environment has been further strengthened.
• The village communities use their forests more sustainably.
• Farming families use agroecological practices and disseminate them.
• Farming families generate additional income through improvements in beekeeping and mushroom cultivation.