USAID/Nicaragua: Irrigation System inaugurated in Totogalpa

Irrigation System inaugurated in Totogalpa

IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND STOCKPILING PLANT

The Ambassador of the United States in Nicaragua, Paul A. Trivelli, inaugurated on Tuesday, August 29th, an irrigation system valued at over $100,000 in La Ceiba community in the municipality of Totogalpa. It will provide a constant flow of water to 16 greenhouses and outdoor sown fields, allowing vegetable production year-round. Ambassador Trivelli also placed the first stone in a Stockpiling Plant that will be constructed in the community and will allow producers to better manage their products.

These activities are financed by the Government of the United States through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and are implemented by the Adventist Agency for Development and Welfare Resources (ADRA) and the University of Michigan. With the help of the program, commercial agreements have been established among the producers of these communities and national and regional buyers, such as Hortifruit in Nicaragua, Agrolempa in El Salvador, and Det Pon in Guatemala while also continuing to seek new market opportunities for these producers.

NUTRITIONAL FAIR IN THE COYOLITO COMMUNITY

During his visit to Nueva Segovia, Ambassador Trivelli also attended a nutritional fair sponsored by USAID with ADRA. The Ambassador cut the ribbon and opened the key to one of the new potable water wells for the community. Through the nutritional security program, the malnutrition rate in this community has been reduced to zero.

NUTRITIONAL SECURITY PROGRAM

The construction of this irrigation system and plant nursery is part of a nutritional security program for which USAID donates approximately $2.5 million annually to ADRA since 2002. The program is implemented in over 151 communities in Nueva Segovia and Madriz; and seeks to improve and diversify producers’ harvests in the zone while also reducing the incidence of malnutrition and improving the quality of life of the inhabitants.

ADRA offers credit to enterprising women and producers in this area where there is a high rate of malnutrition. Meanwhile, under the water and sanitation component, 900 latrines and 60 wells have been built.

RESULTS TO DATE

Producers aided by the program had sales of $879,377 in fresh fruit and vegetables from October/2004 to September/2005.
Malnutrition rates in the communities receiving assistance were reduced by 10% from 2003 to 2006.