New Agricultural Project Will Benefit 150 Small Farmers
November 19 , 2007

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On Friday, November 16, Ambassador Charles Glazer and Salvadoran Presidential Commissioner for Agriculture Carmen Elena Díaz Bazán de Sol presided over the inauguration of an agricultural site in Cantón El Zapote, Caluco, Sonsonate. The site, created with a U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) donation will promote diversification of non-traditional crops and will benefit 150 small farmers in the Sonsonate area.

Using funds generated from the sale of USDA-donated wheat, the Foreign Affairs External Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided $350,000 to the non-governmental organization Cooperative League USA (CLUSA). CLUSA then implemented the project “Production and Marketing of Fruits and Vegetables in the Caluco Municipality” on approximately 215 acres in the Department of Sonsonate. CLUSA provided technical assistance and collaborated with local farmers for the production of non-traditional agricultural products such as green peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, black-eyed peas, baby corn, zucchini, jalapeños, and loroco (a local flower used as a filling for pupusas).

Organizing the farmers, providing marketing assistance and sharing new technologies are among the strategies of this project. The project also includes greenhouse facilities to grow seedlings and drop irrigation systems for beneficiaries. It is expected that producers who participate in the project will increase their income by 35% within the next two years.

“It is clear that modernizing the agricultural sector is a priority of the government of El Salvador. With products available from so many countries, it is important that quality Salvadoran products compete successfully in the world market”, said Ambassador Glazer during his remarks.

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