The Agriculture School

Our work in El Salvador seeks to move beyond the old model of giving a man a fish so he can eat for a day. We look beyond the model of teaching a man to fish so he can eat for a lifetime. Instead, we want to help women and men become the teachers in their communities, so that everyone can eat and that the community has the capacity to help itself instead of depending on outsiders.

One of the ways we're working towards that goal is through an Agricultural School that teaches organic agricultural techniques to farmers, and then gives them the skills to become the teachers in their own communities.

Food Production Training for Community Leaders
January - April, 2001

Background

Since 1999, the Coordinadora del Bajo Lempa has worked to build farmers' knowledge so that they become the foundation for the development and use of sustainable agricultural techniques. In that year, the Coordinadora began holding talks, field trips, and interchanges with producers participating in the diversified plots project. Despite the significant impact of this work, it was not enough to meet demand and the need to develop a deeper and more integrated approach to sustainable agriculture.

The group during a workshop on the Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture, March 2001.

In 2000, the Coordinadora began systemizing the agricultural education process and working with producers committed not only to using the techniques they learn in their own fields but also to teaching other community members to do the same. By the end of 2000, the Coordinadora finished the first year of the School for Training Food Production Leaders, having held 7 workshops with a group of 20 active participants.

 

A project participants presents the results
of the group's work.

Project Context

The School for Training Food Production Leaders forms an important part of the Coordinadora's Production and Environment Program. The program's objective is "to elevate the technical capacity of producers, and to develop and build skills, so that each can independently promote sustainable agriculture in their own fields and their community."

This project ties in directly with program's strategic 5-year plan. It calls for "training 150 farmers in sustainable agriculture who in turn will work with 450 new farmers to employ the techniques as well." By the end of the 5-year period, a total of 600 new families will be using sustainable agricultural techniques as a direct result of this program.

The family and gender equity are two important elements of the Coordinadora's Production and Environment Program. Throughout project implementation, the family is integrated in a way that promotes shared family participation, tolerance, and equity. This is made possible through the systematic reflection on, analysis, and practice of the principles of agro-ecology. In summary, agro-ecology seeks "social justice, economically viable production, and the ecological sustainability of food production systems."

 

Project Activities, 2001

From January to April, 2001, the School for Training Food Production Leaders completed its first year of activities and initiated year two. To close year one, the Coordinadora documented the results and evaluation of the first year's activities.

The workshops during year two seek to deepen the participants' understanding of sustainable agriculture. Participants will continue learning the skills necessary to successfully work as Food Production Leaders so that they can independently promote sustainable agriculture in their communities by the time they complete the courses.

A farmer from Chirilagua, San Miguel, explains to project participants the benefits of gandul (pigeon peas) as a natural fertilizer. Field trip, March 2001.

 

With help from a grant from the Funding Exchange, beneficiaries participated in the first two workshops of year two: "The Technical and Methodological Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture" and "Agricultural Sustainability and the Vulnerability of Production: Agroforestry."

Eighteen Food Production Leaders participated in the two workshops held during the grant period. Participation would have been higher, but the massive earthquakes in January and February of this year caused considerable destruction and disruption throughout El Salvador, and particularly in the Bajo Lempa region which was one of the most affected by the first quake.

Throughout this period, the project technician, Luis Funes, continued follow-through with participants in their fields and community. Follow-through is a continuous process in this project, with Funes assisting participants as they put into practice the lessons they learn in the workshops.

Project participants have worked together to gather seeds for nurseries. As sustainable agriculture includes using a variety of crops which most farmers in the region are not familiar with, the nurseries are a key component in allowing new farmers and families to participate in sustainable agriculture, with the assistance of Food Production Leaders in their communities.

Thus far, the 20 Food Production Leaders are training 60 farmers in their communities to use sustainable agriculture techniques. 35 of the 60 farmers have shown a strong interest in attending classes in the School itself.

 

Future Activities

In May, the Tides Foundation made a grant covering the remainder of year 2 for the first class of Food Production Leaders.

During 2001, the Food Production Leaders will participate in six two-day workshops (and one introductory workshop of one day). The workshops cover the following subject areas:

1. Introduction to Year Two (one day workshop)

2. Fundamental techniques and methods of Sustainable Agriculture [completed with a grant from the Funding Exchange]

3. Sustainable Agriculture vs. Socio-Economic Vulnerability (Agro Forestry Systems) [completed with a grant from the Funding Exchange]

4. Ecological Soil Management: Microbiology and Conservation Techniques

5. Organic Crops: Certification and Marketing

6. Community Farming Solidarity: Organizing for Food Production

7. Agents of Change: The Tasks of Food Production Leaders

 

Through workshops and interchanges, participants will continue developing the knowledge necessary to carry out sustainable agriculture and crop diversification on their own land, and to help other community members do the same. An average of one activity per month will be carried out with the beneficiaries. The participants will also participate in a regional tour to compare their experiences and exchange information with others who have had success in sustainable agriculture.

Meeting with Food Production Leaders about promoting sustainable agriculture in their communities. Salinas del Potrero, April 2001.

The Coordinadora and FSSCA are currently seeking funding to support a new group of Food Production Leaders.