Working for food security in Quinara, Guinea-Bissau

08-04-2013

A year after its launch, the food security project funded by AECID and held by Humana and ADPP-Guinea-Bissau in the Region of Quinara on schedule. Located on the coast and with an area of ??just over 3,000 square kilometers, Quinara is one of the poorest areas of the country.

Therefore, the progress that is being made have a higher value for the local population. A total of 2,000  small farmers are participating, grouped in 40 Farmers' Clubs.

The groups are supported by a management commission. The 60% of their members are women. Regardless of the progress that is being made in the field of food security and agriculture, the project is also promoting gender equality and women empowerment.

Community mobilization
Along with the activities directly related to agriculture, are organizing other actions to promote the development of the whole community. It's very important in this case a mobilization campaign on the importance of increasing and diversifying agricultural production. Farmers are usually focused on local grain production, but this year they are farming further reap rice, corn, cassava, cabbage or onions, having achieved a 50% increase crop variety.

This activity has had the participation of more than 1,700 people. The 60% are part of the Farmers' Clubs, but the rest have been people who do not belong to clubs but showing interest in the program and that being of nearby communities, participates in them. This fact helps to multiply the benefits of the project.

At the same time, clusters organize campaigns on health, disease prevention and fight against HIV / AIDS. These campaigns have included the construction of 1,500 tables for the suspension of dishes and cooking utensils, 390 latrines, 237 improved stoves and the distribution of 1,800 water filters. Improved hygiene and preventive measures have allowed in 2012 has not been a single case of acute diarrhea and cholera.

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