Embracing Lenca Heritage
Inclusive business model approach empowers rural women producers in Honduras
Brenda Aracely Dominguez, a farmer in the highlands of Intibucá, Honduras, says growing potatoes and corn is an important part of her cultural heritage as a member of the Lenca people.
The Lencas are the largest indigenous community in Honduras, with over 600,000 people. They have a rich cultural identity and are considered guardians of natural resources, but unfortunately the Lencas are also one of the most excluded and underprivileged groups in Honduras. With technical assistance from local organizations, the Lencas are now reclaiming their heritage and embracing their traditions, like potato harvesting, to nurture their families and enable their communities to thrive.
As much as Brenda, 29, loves working the land — which she grew up doing with her parents and six siblings — she was struggling with her husband, Moises, to keep this tradition alive. She faced hard times when she didn’t earn enough to feed her family of three. During those times, she thought of migrating to the United States in search of a better life.
Many women like Brenda have the skills and will to thrive, however, they have difficulty accessing financing and technical support to boost their business and increase their income.
Brenda used to get seeds for planting without any information or training. ”Then we would have to take whatever price they offered at harvest time,” Brenda said. “It seemed we could never get ahead, let alone dream of helping others get started.”
Cultivating Promising Private Sector Alliances
Through the Transforming Market Systems Activity, USAID established an alliance with one of the largest potato producers and traders in Honduras, JJ Agro. USAID worked with JJ Agro to adapt its supply chain model to support the financial inclusion of small producers like Brenda. This new alliance between the private sector and USAID transformed Brenda’s business by facilitating new varieties of improved seeds and training on crop management.
This year, Brenda got a loan to plant roughly half a hectare of Fabula and Sagitta potato, two improved potato varieties recently certified by the Honduran government with USAID support. Today, with the new seeds and a fixed-price sale contract signed with JJ Agro, Brenda is a confident business owner.
“Working with JJ Agro means we have a reliable buyer that we know cares about us and is ready to help if something goes wrong. Working together as women, we have gotten access to finances, which gives us more control and ability to plan our futures.” — Brenda Aracely Dominguez
Within a year, Brenda’s first harvest of Fabula produced 2,540 pounds of healthy potatoes, over 30 percent more than her last harvest. Most of her potatoes were categorized as first class, selling for $13 more per 100-pound bag compared to conventional varieties.
Harvesting, Thinking Big, and Thriving
Brenda’s business is now more profitable and sustainable. Previously, Brenda and Moises relied on one harvest to cover most of the family’s expenses for the entire year. However, with the financing and profit from the harvest with the improved potato varieties, Brenda can afford to rent two plots of land for staggering multiple potato growing cycles. This enables Brenda to earn a steady income throughout the year, that is 30 percent higher than before.
Brenda and Moises are also motivated by the fact that they employ family members and neighbors to help care for the crops, especially during harvest season. Technician Jesus Dominguez from the Lenca community, hired by JJ Agro, feels the impact of USAID on the sector is essential.
“USAID is an essential facilitator. Together, we want to change the fact that so many of the potatoes we consume in Honduras come from other countries. We brought in new varieties of potato that are being tested by the government. That, the financing, and the technical assistance are making the difference.
Almost all the growers we work with at JJ Agro are indigenous Lenca women; it is a community effort and the community benefits as we make these systemic changes.” — Jesus Dominguez
Propitious Future for the Lenca Community
Brenda’s success allowed her and her family to prosper in Honduras. With diversification, better prices, and fair financing, she has a thriving business and is proud to be able to support her community and family. Above all, she is proud to provide a good education to her son, Maynor.
USAID continues to support anchor companies like JJ Agro to innovate and scale their supply chain models. Increasing the inclusion of small producers like Brenda into formal, transparent market systems is a proven means of generating new jobs quickly and addressing the root causes of irregular migration to the United States.
About the Author
Claudia Calderon is the Development Outreach and Communications Specialist for USAID’s Mission in Honduras.
