We are excited to introduce you to some of the people participating in this year’s gender and agroecology (GenAgro) project. It is being implemented with our partners in three communities: Santa Julia, Santa Teresa and Jiñocuao.
This year’s project revolves around training in agroecological techniques and gender equality practices in agricultural production and at home. Two people were selected from each family, be they a married couple, mother – son, or other duo.
Gema Cruz & Yader Gutierrez show off their lush and diverse model garden in Santa Teresa.
A family with a model farm and another with a model garden were chosen from each community. The families were selected because of their commitment to using agroecological techniques, the diversity of plants or crops, and their willingness to learn, share and exchange with others. They also exemplify gender equitable practices among family members.
Maria Esperanza Perez discusses the agroecological techniques she uses on her cassava crop in Los Norteños, Santa Teresa.
Examples of capacity building topics that they are learning in this project include making organic insecticides, pruning of trees and coffee plants, and distributing household responsibilities more equitably between women and men (known as the care economy).
Producers receiving training in the model farm of Jiñocuao.
The owners of the model farm in Jiñocuao are Filemon Sanchez and Facunda Gavache, fifth and sixth from the left.
We are making short videos in each of the communities. They will provide testimonies and practical demonstrations, and participants will discuss what they have learned from the project. We will distribute the videos among the participants in the three communities, with other producers, and with our donors and supporters.