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The small farmers of Repelón faces several NEEDS AND CHALLENGES:
-Lack of food security and health
-Lack of education and training in sustainable practices
-Environmental degradation
-Scarcity of productive employment (especially for women and young people)
-Migration of young people and the active population of the community to the cities
Currently, there are several initiatives and programs to promote entrepreneurship and job training. However, misinformation, distrust towards the public institutions promoting these programs (due to past negative experiences or feeling that their needs have not been adequately addressed), economic and social barriers (such as the need to prioritize daily work to support their families, lack of community or family support), and lack of necessary skills or knowledge to participate in certain programs, among other reasons, lead to the community not actively participating in them.
The community members expressed their interest in having the necessary knowledge and resources to exploit the land efficiently and have a constant source of food. They want to receive training in sustainable agriculture and livestock practices and in the management of natural resources to generate income for their households.
The 'SELF-SUSTAINING ROTARY FARM' is a project aimed at 10 small farmers and their families, residents of the municipality of Repelon (Atlantico, northern Colombia). This project has an estimated duration of 5 years and integrates crop farming and animal husbandry on a three (3) hectare plot of land (approximately 7.41 acres) in a self-sufficient manner and under the principle of a circular economy.
This project has 2 MAIN OBJECTIVES:
a) Develop opportunities for productive work and improve access to sustainable livelihood sources. By promoting diversification for income generation, ensuring food security, and enhancing quality of life, it fosters a traditional farming culture and prevents migration to cities.
b) Empower the community to develop skills for environmental conservation and natural resource management, enabling them to economically benefit from these resources. This includes soil care and the utilization of organic materials for crops and livestock.
Estimated beneficiaries: On 3 hectares (approximately 7.41 acres), 10 direct (farmers) and 440 indirect beneficiaries (40 family members of the farmers + 200 local community members who will have access to fresh products for sale + 200 people, including customers and consumers of fresh and organic products at markets and fairs in neighboring towns).
ESTIMATED BENEFICIARIES: 450 people.
The participating farmers will be men and women aged between 21 and 80* years. Following the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of Rotary, our e-Club aims to ensure that participation is inclusive by providing fair and equitable opportunities for community members, regardless of their age or gender, to have access to the necessary resources to thrive and be able to contribute significantly to the development of this project.
*The participation of adults over 60 years of age will depend on their capacity and willingness to actively contribute to the project. Their experience and knowledge will be valued, regardless of their exact age, as long as they feel capable and motivated to engage in the project's activities.
PROJECT FUNDS ALLOCATION:
- Training Programs: Funding for workshops and courses on sustainable agriculture and livestock practices, as well as natural resource management and management skills.
- Resource Procurement: Purchase of essential farming tools, seeds, livestock, and other materials necessary for efficient land exploitation.
- Infrastructure improvement: Building or adapting basic infrastructure, such as roads or access routes, fences, irrigation systems, storage units to support agricultural activities, and other necessary facilities.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Implementation of systems to track the progress of the project and make necessary adjustments to improve outcomes.
CLUB MEMBERS' INVOLVEMENT:
- Mentorship: Club members with expertise in agriculture, business, or education can serve as mentors for the community members.
- Fundraising and Resource Mobilization: Organize fundraising events and campaigns to secure additional funds and resources for the project.
- Field Visits and Assessments: Regular visits to the project site to monitor progress, provide support, and gather feedback from the farmers.
- Community Engagement Activities: Plan and participate in events that promote community bonding and ensure the inclusive participation of all members.
- Administrative Support: Assist with project management, documentation, and reporting to ensure transparency and accountability.
LOCAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
- The Social Foundation Mama Lina (FUMALI), based in Repelón (Atlántico), is the main local cooperating organization and actively participates in all stages of the project (design, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and evaluation).
- Pilot Plan in the homes of families with available spaces for managing each type of production.
- A participatory and transparent process for selecting beneficiary families in collaboration with FUMALI.
- Involvement of direct beneficiaries in all aspects related to the 7 phases of project implementation.
For further details, kindly visit OUR WEBSITE: https://en.rotarycolombiainnova.org/farm
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