The Rights to food, health care, education, gender equality
‘Hunger, poverty, and illiteracy are major issues plaguing much of the world, and climate change is one of the greatest threats to human beings on the planet. Nicaragua is setting an example an example for sustainable development that addresses all these issues.’ Rick Kohn, professor of Animal Science, University of...
Caribbean style may pole: a celebration of life, fertility, and hope
Not long after the arrival of Christopher Colombus in the part of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua called Mosquita, along came Africans, (escaped slaves from the Caribbean,) the British, the Dutch, the Germans, and the Spanish. All these groups contributed their own traditions to the fusion that has become Caribbean May...
The journey of Nicaraguan Fairtrade coffee grower Erika Lanzas
Erika Lanzas from the Co-operative Union, SOPPEXCCA in northern Nicaragua is an organic Fairtrade coffee grower, a member of a co-operative, a mother and grandmother and an entrepreneur. In addition to coffee Erika also grows vegetables and fruit for family consumption and to sell locally. * From 11 - 27 April...
Recovering the habitat, biodiversity, & culture of native ‘stingless’ bees
In 2021 and 2022 researcher *Yorlis Luna made field visits throughout Nicaragua and the rest of Central America getting to know more about ‘meliponiculture’ (keeping of native ‘stingless’ bees). This was part of a participatory research programme in collaboration with the Nicaraguan Technology Institute (INTA)’s National Strategy for Beekeeping and...
Celebrating International Women’s Day: the Gloria Quintanilla Co-operative
This 20 women co-operative, a member organisation of the Rural Workers Association (ATC), is an example of how women organising have transformed the lives of their whole community. Based in the rural community of Santa Julia south of Managua, the co-operative was set up in 2008. They grow bananas, beans, dragon...
Fairtrade Fortnight 27 Feb – 12 March: find out what difference Fairtrade makes for Nicaraguan producers
The 650 member co-operative union SOPPEXCCA is an example of how the climate crisis is threatening the lives and livelihoods of small scale producers. But it is also highlights what difference Fairtrade can make in terms of extra income, power and support for families and their communities. As SOPPEXCCA general manager...
Weaving and selling the petate the co-operative way
The art of weaving using different plants is a fundamental part of Latin American history. In Totogalpa, an Indigenous Chorotega municipality of Madriz, two co-operatives of young people and two adult cooperatives are involved in complementary ways in weaving and selling petate (woven mats and wall hangings). Winnie Narváez Herrera and her...
Returning to the earth what we take from it: agroecology in practice
Cayo Verde (Green Haven) is the name of a farm belonging to the Ochoa family situated in the hills of Miraflor south of Estelí. *Winnie Narváez Herrera visited the farm to find out more about the family’s commitment to returning to nature what they are consume: wood, water, fruit, seeds,...
From agroecology dreams to agroecology in practice:examples from Estelí
Winnie Narváez Herrera, who works with the popular education organisation ABACOenRed / FUPECG visited two communities in the Estelí department to learn more about the leading role women small-scale farmers are playing in the transition to agroecology. Agroecology is often referred to merely as a form of production that does not...
Food sovereignty, agroecology, climate justice & international solidarity
For the past two years NSC has worked in 'virtual' solidarity with the Nicaraguan Rural Workers Association (ATC), a member organisation of the global movement La Via Campesina (LVC). So in late October it was an enormous relief when ATC representatives Marlen Sanchez and Erika Takeo were able to undertake a...