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The community of Rancho Grande, located in the rural area of Arroyo de Piedra (Luruaco, Atlántico), faces persistent challenges that limit its social and economic development. Although 20 farming families have been granted land by the National Land Agency (ANT), they continue to experience food insecurity, low household income, limited technical training, and restricted access to productive resources. Unproductive land, weak organizational structures, and limited institutional coordination further hinder sustainable rural development and reduce opportunities for women, youth, and smallholder farmers.
To address these needs, the project will implement the Self sustaining Farm, a five year community initiative designed to strengthen food security, generate income, and build long term organizational capacity through an agroecological and circular economy approach. The project will be developed on an 8 hectare plot managed collectively by the 20 beneficiary families, in partnership with ANUC Rancho Grande, SENA, and local public and private entities.
The productive model integrates diversified agriculture, small livestock, waste reuse, and
basic processing activities. Crop options suitable for the region include vegetables (radish, bell peppers, sweet pepper, scallions, cilantro, tomato, cucumber, eggplant, cherry tomato, Swiss chard, carrot), staple crops (corn, cassava, pumpkin, legumes, banana/plantain), aromatic and medicinal plants (aloe vera, calendula, arnica, thyme, bay laurel, oregano), forage grasses, and fruit trees (mango, guava, Spanish lime, soursop, loquat, tamarind). Final selection will be based on soil suitability assessments currently underway. Livestock activities include raising pigs, African sheep, broiler chickens, and laying hens, all integrated into a circular system that uses crop residues as feed and organic waste as fertilizer.
Project funds will be used to purchase seeds and planting materials; agricultural tools and supplies; irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting components; organic fertilizers and soil amendments; materials for living fences and forage areas; and inputs for poultry and livestock production. Funds will also support continuous technical training delivered by SENA, monitoring and evaluation activities, and community organization processes. These investments will enable the community to establish a productive, diversified, and environmentally sustainable farm capable of generating long term economic and social benefits.
The Rotary e Club Colombia Innova members will play an active role throughout the project. They will participate in planning, procurement, and financial oversight; accompany training sessions; support monitoring and evaluation; and facilitate coordination with institutional partners. Club members will also contribute to visibility, reporting, and documentation to ensure transparency, accountability, and replicability.
The project will be implemented through a structured five year timeline:
1. Planning and Design (Months 1-6)
Participatory assessment with the 20 families; design of the productive model and circular economy approach; definition of crops and livestock; establishment of partnerships; and creation of the training and monitoring plan.
2. Land Preparation and Infrastructure (Months 4-12)
Preparation of the 8 hectare site; construction of animal pens, poultry houses, composting areas, and nurseries; installation of irrigation and rainwater harvesting systems; and establishment of living fences and conservation areas.
3. Selection and Implementation of Crops and Livestock (Year 1-2)
Planting of vegetables, staple crops, aromatic and medicinal plants, forage grasses, and fruit trees; introduction of laying hens, broiler chickens, pigs, and African sheep; establishment of forage pastures; and integration of circular economy practices.
4. Comprehensive Training and Technical Support (Year 1-5)
Continuous training with SENA in agroecology, food processing, marketing, business management, and leadership; organizational strengthening; and preparation for the future farmers' cooperative.
5. Productive Implementation (Year 1-5)
Phase 1 - Self consumption (Year 1-2): Strengthening food security and using agricultural residues for animal feed.
Phase 2 - Sale of surpluses (Year 2-4): Local commercialization of fresh and processed products to generate income.
Phase 3 - Formation of the Farmers' Cooperative (Year 3-5): Formal organization, training in solidarity economy (Coopermondo methodologies), development of governance structures, and consolidation of collective commercialization.
6. Commercialization and Sales (Year 2-5)
Direct sales in local markets and fairs; development of a community brand; introduction of value added products; and coordination with institutional buyers such as PAE, restaurants, and allied businesses.
7. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adjustments (Year 1-5)
Continuous technical, productive, and organizational follow up; evaluation of economic, social, and environmental impact; adjustments to the productive model; and preparation for replication in other communities.
Through this integrated and long term approach, the project will directly benefit 20 families (approximately 100 people) and indirectly more than 1,000 residents of the surrounding rural area. By the end of the five year period, the community will have a consolidated productive model, strengthened organizational capacity, and a formally established farmers' cooperative capable of sustaining and expanding the initiative.
For further details, kindly visit our website: https://en.rotarycolombiainnova.org/farm
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