Project profile — Food Security in the Nacaome and Goascoran Watersheds

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: 1) Women and men in the intervention zones are making a rational management of natural resources, including water, and managing production systems in a sustainable and environmental manner, thus contributing to the improvement of their economic and social conditions; 2) Women, men and youth of the intervention zones have greater sensitivity and understanding of the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, including water, through awareness-raising and mobilization work based on social communication, exchanges of experience and methodology that uses the arts and local culture; 3) The basin watershed management and sustainable management of natural resources, including water, are achieved through the concerted efforts of the key actors of the targeted watersheds.

Results achieved as of March 2016 include: 1) completing 16 micro-watershed management plans; 2) compiling baseline data for all 3,000 targeted families; 3) installing 3,000 eco-stoves and micro-irrigation systems; 4) developing 920 agricultural plot strategies, 3,000 integrated farm management plans with at least two sub-systems of production, such as family gardens and systems that combine forestry and the grazing of animals (silvopasture) or systems that combine agriculture and forestry (agroforestry); 5) distributing 5,005 grain silos and 2,157 water filters; 6) improving the technical capacity of 3,000 farmers (1,740 women and 1,260 men); 7) providing professional agriculture training to 211 youth (123 women and 88 men). The project worked extensively with the 3,000 families to improve their agricultural production. The project assessed cashew, sesame seeds, honey, dairy products and mango value chains to increase the ability of small farmers to access markets profitably. The project also put in place sixteen municipal associations (in which women make up 50% of the elected members), and supported them to improve their ability to manage natural resources and watersheds, and address food security issues. The project also helped set up 56 nurseries able to produce 988,200 fruit and wood trees and coffee plants per year. In addition, the project used art and theatre to raise awareness of issues such as water conservation, environmental protection, climate change and gender equality. The project reached 30,000 people with these messages through a radio show, and more than 154 theatre productions. These have contributed to improving the socio-economic and environmental conditions for thousands of families in Southern Honduras.