FARMING
Nearly three-fourths of Nicaragua's population lives on less than $2 per day. This poverty is highly concentrated in northwestern Nicaragua, one of the hottest and driest regions in Central America.
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Through the introduction of solar-powered irrigation, fertilizer, hybrid seeds, insect control, and educational programs for farmers, HKRF has helped put more food on the table for families in the region.
HKRF Partners with Maguire Iron to bring a new well to the impoverished Rodeito Community
Solar panels and irrigation system implemented in northwestern Nicaragua
A typical mud-brick farm house
A makeshift chicken coop
Solar panels and irrigation system implemented in northwestern Nicaragua
"Helping Kids Round First supports families in the most vulnerable communities in Nicaragua with the production of basic crops to improve their nutrition and diet. They've taught us new ways to grow food and motivated us to work together as a community to create better opportunities for our families."
-Maryan Alvarez, Local Agronomist
Irrigated Crop Yields
in 100 lb bushels
Average Beginning Corn Yield
10
After 1 year w/ HKRF assistance
50-70
After 2 years w/ HKRF
assistance
100-120
After 3 years w/ HKRF
assistance
130-140
Helping Kids Round First supports 9 farming communities in the Somoto and Somotillo regions of northwestern Nicaragua. At each, the community works together to farm a shared piece of land. At harvest, each participating worker brings home a portion of the crop for their family. A portion of the crop is saved for future use by the community and some is sold to cover the cost of inputs (seeds, fertilizer, pesticide) for future years. With this method, communities are able to supplement often meager diets improving their nutrition and achieve self-sustainability.
HKRF volunteers, led by Scott Ramsdell of Dakota Layers, work directly with local farming families and agronomists to teach modern agricultural techniques that can be implemented successfully in Nicaragua's harsh climate to produce more food for local families. Yields have increased dramatically in corn, bean, and vegetable crops both in irrigated and dry land fields.
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In 2018, HKRF will introduce small-scale chicken and egg programs in farming communities that are approaching sustainability, adding valuable sources of protein to diets in the region.
