Este documento tiene por objetivo principal presentar un marco conceptual orientador del proyecto a las Representaciones y otras instancias del IICA, así como a las instituciones contraparte nacionales y subnacionales, las organizaciones sociales y económicas, las instancias territoriales de articulación de los actores institucionales y sociales, las redes y centros de investigación, que se constituyen en aliados institucionales del IICA para la implementación de este trabajo.
El proyecto insignia “Inclusión en la agricultura y los territorios rurales” del Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA) pone énfasis en la inclusión de los segmentos que tradicionalmente han sido excluidos de los benefcios de los procesos de desarrollo de la agricultura y de las economías rurales.
Le secteur agricole dans la bande de Gaza est confronté à un certain nombre de problèmes systémiques dont le plus important est l’épuisement de son aquifère côtier, qui est la seule source d’eau douce. L’aquifère est également extrêmement pollué, et la salinité élevée des eaux souterraines empêche certains des légumes les plus produits dans la bande de Gaza d’avoir un rendement satisfaisant.
From the Maya to modern times, beekeeping has been a much respected rural activity in Guatemala. Then in recent years, production increased and a national association was formed. But internal disagreements soon saw a fall in production and sales. Then thanks to CDAIS, producers across the country asked for and were given, a new space to gather. And there they rediscovered their common interests and goals, and have re-established their original organization, to excellent effect.
“Before, people were not really interested” says Lionel Ozorio, president of the ATESCATEL seed cooperative, “but the CDAIS project has helped to bring people together and now we see much more buy-in.” This innovation partnership is building key functional capacities amongst producer associations, and now, bringing other stakeholders onboard to help improve nutritional security through innovative approaches in promoting a new bean variety with increased production potential and nutritional content.
“When I first heard about the CDAIS project two years ago, I knew immediately that it was just what our group of farmers was looking for” explains Edgar Somacumbi. “We have land, seeds, tractors and all the equipment we want, and a processing plant. But moving from being farmer to agro-entrepreneurs is a complex process and requires new skills. And this is where we needed help.” CDAIS is now supporting a group of farmers to improve how they organise themselves and to help them find solutions to their problems.
“I see mindset shifts being promoted by CDAIS says Gemechu Nemie, director of the Ethiopian Animal Feed Industry Association (EAFIA) and a key member of the livestock feed safety and quality innovation niche. And this is the sort of change that the CDAIS project is beginning to engender, as partners start to implement approaches that better promote innovation in agriculture, by inspiring small and simple personal revolutions… Ethiopia is one of eight CDAIS pilot countries, and within each, several ‘niches’ or ‘innovation partnerships’ have been selected.
“We have changed already since the CDAIS project started working with us” said Mrs Khammone Luanglath. “Because of the project, we have for example divided our responsibilities within the group and our profits have increased.” The CDAIS project is working with a group of organic vegetable growers in Tongmang village in Vientiane province, who produce for local markets.
“CDAIS does not give us money, but it opens spaces for cacao producers, associations and industry to work together” says Sergio Segovia, president of the ASOPROCCAN association. Actors in the cocoa chain of Atlántida on the north coast are, thanks to CDAIS, now achieving quality standards and promoting entrepreneurship. This was the vision of this innovation partnership, to focus actions on fulfilling their dream of strengthening their organizations and applying good agricultural practices in cocoa cultivation.
“CDAIS no nos da dinero, pero abre espacios para tener contactos importantes para el desarrollo de los productores de las asociaciones y del rubro”, dice Segovia que también se propone gestionar proyectos para mujeres, un museo de chocolate, una tienda de productos de cacao y cursos de catación para cacao súper fino. Y comoBernarda Moya, una productora de cacao en Balfate, La Ceiba explica, “Las relaciones con CDAIS nos ayuda a ser creativos y beneficiarnos todos.”