Poverty Alleviation for Indigenous Groups: Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods

This project aims to increase the productivity of traditional food. It also focuses on improving food security : it re-establishes nutritious vegetable crops harvested prior to Hurricane Mitch and increases poultry and egg production of indigenous people of the Tawahka Asangni and Bosawas Reserves that lie on the border of Honduras and Nicaragua. A train-the-trainer approach empowers indigenous agricultural promoters and teachers to pass skills to households. Activities under the project include : gardening and agricultural training; fencing for school gardens; distribution of agricultural tools; and distribution of chickens to families identified with malnutrition problems especially those with proteins deficiency. In addition capacity building activities for indigenous leaders in land management and environmental protection are helping them to participate in regional processes designed to preserve these areas as well as design and implement local processes which promote sustainable land management. The project also strengthens regional indigenous networks.The local partners for the project are Centro Humboldt in Nicaragua and Alianza Verde in Honduras.