Agricultural Training Ramps Up In Latin America

In December, the ECHO Latin America/Caribbean Regional Impact Team was pleased with the results of five days of training in Central America. Through partnerships with several organizations in Nicaragua and Honduras, team leader, Brad Ward, was able to contribute to two training sessions that covered a variety of topics important to the region.

The Nicaragua workshop was hosted by CCID/BioNica (Centro de Capacitación, Investigación y Demostración del Método Biointensivo de Cultivo en Nicaragua) and was held at the Managua campus of UNA, the Universidad Nacional Agraria (Nicaraguan Agriculture University). This training's focus was institutional seed banking best practices, and included topics such as basic botany and seed biology, the components of a seedbank, germination testing techniques, and seedbank record keeping. The Nicaragua workshop also featured an excellent presentation by Harold Calvo with Seed Alliance focused on Nicaragua’s proposed seed distribution laws and a seed exchange.

The workshop in Nicaragua by Brad Ward on best practices in seed production and seed saving was greatly appreciated by all of the participants. Each participant left from the workshop with a better understanding of the vital need for diversity in the crops being grown in Nicaragua as we experience a warmer and drier climate.

Michael Richardson – CCIC BioNica, Nicaragua

The two-day training in Honduras was held at the Camino Global training center and demonstration farm in Siguatepeque. Training sessions covered composting, vermiculture, seed improvement strategies, and basic sheep husbandry.

Thank you so much for your visit here to Honduras this last week. It was truly great to have your help on our farm here at the seminary and for the ag workshop this last Monday and Tuesday. I was extremely pleased at the broad background of the small-scale farmers at the event and very happy with their enthusiasm for learning.

Tim Nelson - Camino Global, Honduras

Educational events, and networking opportunities are available throughout the year in many areas of the world. To find events near you, whether they are hosted by ECHO, or by a partner organization, check the ECHOcommunity Calendar.