Chicken farming addresses poverty and food security in Guatemala

Small commercial chicken farms in Plan Grande Quehueche and Nuevo Nacimiento Caliz, address the need to generate income and feed the communty.

Lack of knowledge in diversity of production inhibits successful agriculture practices

There are many impoverished farmers in Guatemala, and the problem stems from two key reasons, a lack of diversity in the crops they grow and animals they raise, along with the accompanying knowledge regarding farming practices such as care and disease control. The introduction of new commercially viable animal agriculture diversifies existing farm operations and sets farmers, and communities, up for longer success and financial stability.

Commercially viable operations with education and vaccination to ensure success

The project was to setup 2 communities to raise chickens commercially, with chicken coops to be built using new materials, Ross breed chicks to be purchased and farmers to be trained to raise and care for chickens. 915 chicks were purchased, 465 delivered in the community of Nuevo Nacimiento Cáliz, 450 chicks were delivered to Plan Grande Quehueche. Chicks received proper vaccinations to stave off disease and set the farmers up for long term success. These commercially viable chicken farm operations will provide additional income as well as diversity for impoverished farmers.

Project Contact Details

Project Leader: Carl Fletcher

As a 40+ year donor I’ve supported S.H.A.R.E.'s practical and effective projects that help people help themselves. Upon retirement from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, I volunteered as a Projects Committee member. I am now Project Manager for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras projects. I am a Professional Agrologist and a Canadian Association of Farm Advisors member. I value that each S.H.A.R.E. project requires the beneficiaries to ‘Pass on' a benefit to others in recognition of the help the project has given them.

Address

12801 Bramalea Rd., Caledon Ontario, L7C 2R1

Aprosarstun

Aprosarstun is S.H.A.R.E.'s partner in Guatemala. Aprosarstun is a Mayan Q'eqchi' organization promoting sustainable development in the Sarstun river protected area of southeast Guatemala. Their mission is to improve livelihoods of the communities in the Sarstun watershed region while protecting the rich biodiversity and ecology.

Outcomes

This project is providing a hand up for these people.

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