USAID/Nicaragua: Packing plant inaugurated with the support of the Government of the United States

Packing plant inaugurated with the support of the Government of the United States

Photo: Using drip irrigation systems, financed by the program, to cultivate vegetable produce throughout the year and with a sure buyer in place, these producers now have higher incomes A program financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing technical assistance and financial support to a group of 282 small producers in Jinotega to diversify their crops and gain new markets.

To ensure that their products comply with the quality demands of their buyers, the cooperative built a packing plant with USAID support.

Through agreements with La Colonia supermarkets and Hortifruti, an important Central American vegetable buyer, this group today sells an average of $34,000 per month in fruits and vegetables and generated 157 new jobs in 2005. Recently, they have also begun to export products to other Central American countries.

Using drip irrigation systems, financed by the program, to cultivate vegetable produce throughout the year and with a sure buyer in place, these producers now have higher incomes.