In Guatemala, Mesoamerica Hunger Free has focused its efforts on supporting the strengthening of institutional capacities and the development and implementation of regulatory and public policy instruments that impact food security and nutrition, as well as the development of family farming. To design these instruments and support their implementation at the local level, the program has facilitated the validation of innovative tools, methodologies, and practices in the department of Chiquimula, focused on strengthening technical assistance to family farming and promoting sustainable agricultural, livestock, and aquaculture production. These practices have contributed to the diversification of production, the integration of family farmers into markets, and improved opportunities in rural areas.
These are some of the results achieved with the program’s support
- Development of instruments for the territorial implementation of the National Policy for Comprehensive Rural Development and the establishment of the Territorial Management Unit of the Copán Chortí Association of Municipalities.
- Capacity building for family farmers and producer associations in vegetable cultivation in macro-tunnels, tilapia production, rabbit farming, and the production of handicrafts using fibers from native plants.
- Definition of technical and operational guidelines for implementing public procurement from family farmers, and design of a platform for monitoring school feeding procurement.
- Improvement of school feeding infrastructure in educational centers in Chiquimula.
- Development of a strategy to ensure healthy environments in schools participating in the School Feeding Program.
- Development of a strategy to promote youth entrepreneurship.
- Development of a model to implement the Great National Crusade for Nutrition at the local level.
- Technical support for the creation of a Single Farmers’ Registry.
- Technical assistance for the approval and dissemination of the School Feeding Law and its Regulatory Framework.
- Technical support for the formulation of the Strategic Plan for Food and Nutritional Security 2023–2032.