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| Improving the health of rural communities in Oaxaca, Mexico |
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Ezequiel's Amaranth Experiment
 Ezequiel Santiago Lopez, from the rural village of San Andres el Alto, is a life-long
farmer with seven children. As an active participant in Puente’s Training
Farmers project, which teaches rural farmers sustainable farming techniques
and amaranth cultivation, he was selected to be one of Puente’s Local
Agricultural Technicians. These technicians live
in villages where we work and are contracted and trained by Puente to assist
with the Training Farmers project. Ezequiel recognizes the important role that
amaranth can play in keeping his children healthy and providing extra income to
his family. Although his younger brother recently migrated to the U.S. to work in the fields of Georgia, Ezequiel is determined to stay in his village and continue trying to survive on the small income he makes from selling his crops. He currently works part-time with Puente in five rural communities.
In our first meeting with Ezequiel, he expressed a desire to
conduct an experiment to evaluate different amaranth species and varieties in
his community. With Puente’s support in obtaining amaranth seeds from all over
the world, Ezequiel planted 21 different seed varieties on different plots of
his land. “I’m very happy that my dream
to do this experiment is finally happening. The information collected in
this investigation will be useful for every community in this micro-region and
others that have similar climates and terrains,” commented Ezequiel.
This investigation will produce data that will ensure that
farmers produce the highest quality amaranth that grows best in their
region. (Currently there are only two varieties of amaranth grown in Oaxaca.) Puente is very excited to promote knowledge
sharing and local capacity building among farmers. Additionally, this
research project stemming from the community emphasizes experiential learning based in self-discovery.
-Rigoberto Pola Lopez, Training Farmers Coordinator
Director's Note: In Oaxaca, 77 percent of Oaxacan farmers earn less than $89 per month. The Training Farmers project not only increases farming incomes through the cultivation of amaranth but also teaches farmers practical and sustainable techniques that can be applied to all of their crops.
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Help Puente Today!
For the second year in a row, the New Horizon Fund / Community Foundation of Louisville has challenged Puente to raise more money from
individuals like you. In 2007, any donation that Puente receives from
individuals will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000.
We are just over half-way to our fundraising goal of $10,000 from individuals. It is vital
that we raise this money and receive the challenge grant.
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Laptops Wanted!
In addition to meeting our fundraising challenge, Puente is also in need of laptops for our office. If you have a laptop you do not need, or are
thinking of purchasing a new one, please consider donating your used
laptop to Puente. Your donation will be tax-deductible, and our hard-working staff will definitely appreciate it!
To donate a laptop, contact us.
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Village Voices
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"I enjoy visiting other farmers' land, checking their amaranth plants, and providing technical assistance to them. In this job, I've learned a lot of useful technical training."
-Jesus Pacheco Lopez, Local Agricultural Technician, La Brujeria
Farmers currently receive approximately $2 pesos ($0.18 USD) for one kilogram of corn, the most commonly grown crop in Oaxaca. Amaranth can be sold on the local market for approximately $14 pesos ($1.27 USD) per kilogram of raw seeds.
"Puente's trainings are good because the information they teach us isn't just for amaranth. It can also be applied to peaches, apples, or corn."
-Imelda Lopez Bernardo, project participant, San Antonino el Alto
Farmers participating in the Training Farmers project attend in-depth, hands-on trainings led by Agricultural Engineer, Rigoberto Pola Lopez. Topics covered include
- Organic farming methods (composting and organic fertilizers)
- Amaranth planting and growing methods
- Natural methods to control pests, weeds, and diseases
- Harvesting, selling, and storing amaranth grain
- Recuperating depleted soil (crop rotation and humidity conservation)
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Women prepare land for an amaranth
planting demonstration.
May 2007, Rancho Tejas
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Shop online at Giveline.org and Puente will receive an average of 16 percent of the amount you spend.
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Puente is a registered US 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to the eradication of malnutrition in rural Mexico.
For more information about Puente's work, e-mail us at info@puentemexico.org. We'd love to hear from you!
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