How family farmers boost the local economy

For low-income farmers, livelihoods are a lifeline. Ensuring the continuity of the farm means the family can continue to feed themselves while earning an income to send their children to school, access medical care, and invest in their home. Farmers in SHI’s program develop profitable organic products that boost income and allow a family to thrive. For example, Sintia of Belize sells pineapple jam in addition to raw pineapples. This concept of adding value to a raw product to significantly boost profit is called value-added agriculture, and it benefits livelihoods and family well-being.

SHI field trainers work with farmers to identify ways to add value to their crops with possibilities ranging from hats to baked goods, such as SHI-Honduras field trainer Consuelo’s empanada recipe. Increasing the market value of crops creates opportunities for multiple streams of income that are needed for basic necessities including healthcare, education, and housing. By sustaining themselves and generating surplus for sale, smallholder organic farmers contribute to environmental restoration while bolstering the local economy. In the final stages of SHI’s  program, farmers learn to create, market, and sell organic products, turning excess harvests into profitable small businesses.