Tackling rural poverty, together

Extract

Since 1987, a movement of small farmers (or campesinos) in Nicaragua have been changing the way knowledge services are delivered to improve agricultural techniques, increase productivity, and improve land management. Using a system of campesino promoters, providing horizontal learning and coaching, small farmers throughout Nicaragua have been able to diversify crops, learn pest control methods, and minimise degradation.  The programme is based on the notion that inherent to farmers’ indigenous practices is sustainable land management, and that social capital of communities is a useful vehicle for developing human capital of individual households. The success of the programme has been capitalised on by the Government, which now uses the PCaC model in delivering extension services throughout the country.