Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture Biodiversification in Guatemala

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In September 2019, Ira Richards volunteered with the Farmer-to-Farmer program in Guatemala to make a diagnosis of the current agricultural practices and production systems being used in the regions of Huehuetenango where Project Concern International (PCI) works. PCI is a global development organization working in vulnerable communities through various projects and activities that improve the livelihood and resilience of its inhabitants.

Ira Richards boosted PCI activities in several communities by training technicians and smallholder farmers on ways to increase crop productivity and soil quality by using dry-land farming practices that families could implement right away to adapt to climate change. He proposed establishing trials of green manure, local plants with high nutritional value, contour lines, crop diversification, and technology transfer through successful farmers in each community he visited.


So far, the results of Ira's assignment are:

  • PCI purchased approximately 225 kg of different types of beans, peas, and other cereal seeds that contain a high level of nutrients.
  • Plots have been established in the dry corridor with the purchased seeds, to evaluate germination rates and then adaptability.
  • Elderberry and different types of grass and fruit trees are being planted to be used as living barriers.
  • Quinoa, Chia, Buckwheat, Moringa, and other local plants have been grown with maize, agricultural orchards, and living barriers.
  • Technicians trained farmers on how to use contour lines to avoid soil erosion and to add organic matter into the soil.
  • External organizations, such as municipalities, have become interested in PCI's projects, and have donated 500 seedlings of Moringa to plant in different communities.
  • Local youth constructed a nursery and planted Chaya sticks to distribute in other communities.
  • The annual tropical legume Velvet Bean has been promoted widely for its sustainability and to increase the milk production of cows and goats in the summer.
  • Farmers began to use Jack Beans to control plagues such as “zompopos” in their fruit tree orchards.

As a follow-up, on June 24th of this year, Ira began to volunteer virtually with our program again to address the consequences of climate change. He will assess PCI's activities and then provide them with online guidance for the implementation of technologies related to soil improvement and water catchment before and during the rainy season.

Ira is an international consultant with extensive expertise in green manure, soil and water conservation, pest control, sustainable agriculture, irrigation, environmental impact, watershed management, and Farmer Field School Methodologies.


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