In the rural communities, agriculture is the main source of income. The small family farms use traditional production methods: however, the harvest is limited and often just enough to cover their own demand. Only rarely is there anything more that can be sold at the market to generate income for new investments or to close the poverty gap. Climate change makes access to water more difficult which is vital for humans, animals and harvests. In addition, families often live in precarious conditions which can be detrimental to their health.

Through participatory project development, we empower families to improve their living conditions on their own initiative and with their own resources. They are guided by experts from our teams and local farmer experts called “Yachac Runas” whose families are involved in the same project. Apart from technical support and health services, the families do not receive any financial incentives and are proud of what they manage to achieve.

The project consists of three core areas with the focus changing every year. It is part of our integral Programme Healthy Municipality and is implemented in Peru and Bolivia.

The families focus on their homes. Since most families cook, live and sleep in the same room, many decide to build separate kitchen/dining/living rooms and separate bedrooms for parents and children. The cooking area is also often improved and a chimney is installed for the smoke to escape. An ecological refrigerator (that does not need electricity) and shelves are built to keep food and cooking utensils fresh and clean. Furthermore, many families build toilets and a wash corner in the courtyard and designate an area where they can separate their rubbish (organic/inorganic).

The emphasis is on water harvesting, irrigation systems, and production improvement and diversification. By harvesting water and digging lagoon, there is a good supply of water for people, farm animals and crops. The farmers learn how to make organic fertilizer and build shelters/stables, water troughs and feeding troughs for livestock. Greenhouses for fruit and vegetables, and small animal husbandry improve the families’ diet. Hay is grown and stored for livestock to have winter feed. Skilful selection of livestock leads to improved breeding.

The families set up sustainable farmers’ economic organisations, look for new markets and sell their goods directly there. Thanks to their joint efforts, the quality of the products is improved and new markets open up. All these efforts lead to increased income for the families, improved stability and better living conditions.

Between 2017 and 2019, over 1,700 families were actively involved in the project. They set up 48 farmers’ economic organisations including for strawberry production, beekeeping, mushroom production, organic avocados, guinea pigs (breeding and distribution), a sustainable tourism agency and a cheese dairy. Between 2021 and 2023, we aim to work with 1,400 families who plan to set up 28 farmers’ economic organisations.