Guatemala

As of 2015, we have been indirectly active in the country through a regional knowledge management project in Central America’s cocoa sector. In 2016, we started implementing another regional knowledge management project directed at the horticulture sector.

Sustainable Cocoa and Coffee programme highlights for 2023

Rikolto works with CCDA, a Guatemalan coffee association, to empower coffee farmers. In 2023, we trained their technical staff to produce biofertilisers, giving their 240 farmer members access to affordable, organic options that are accepted for organic coffee certification. We have also established eight model plots to study the impact of climate change on coffee production. Rikolto also supported 130 women in the coffee sector by helping them to achieve 'Manos de Mujer' (Women's Hands) certification. The success of this collaboration is clear: CCDA won first place for organic coffee quality at a regional ANACAFE event, reflecting the improved quality and management of their small farms (micro-plots). In collaboration with ANACAFE, we have improved an application to measure the carbon footprint of coffee production, which is currently undergoing national validation.

Good Food for Cities programme highlights for 2023

Rikolto and partners are supporting the Sololá Agroclimatic Technical Roundtable (MTA) to start implementing an Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) approach to promote sustainable and organic food production in the territory around Atitlan Lake. In Sololá, we are also working with local farmers to improve their business models and access local markets, thereby increasing their incomes. Our work had reached 3,590 citizens with improved access to healthy food, including 500 school children with healthier meals.