Thrive

The highest concentration of rural poverty is recorded in the western region of Honduras. However, the eastern and central regions are also important secondary geographic concentrations of extreme poverty and lack of access to affordable, appropriate financial services for small farmers and small businesses. Likewise, the unemployment rate in rural areas is significant, even more so with the effect of the pandemic and recent climatic events (Eta/Iota Storms). Almost 60% of the economically active population from rural areas derive their livelihoods from agriculture and natural resources. The lack of employment opportunities in rural areas has been one of the main driving causes of the high level of emigration from the country. In Honduras, smallholder farmers face several challenges, which together result in high levels of chronic vulnerability. Over 70% of the country's population is affected by poverty and more than 45% live in extreme poverty. In rural areas, the situation is worst, with households earning less than the absolute poverty line of $1.90 per day per person. Having a very low income increases the vulnerability of the smallholder farmer, since shocks such as drought or price changes are more difficult to recover from with limited financial resources. Households throughout the country heavily depend on agricultural activities that are inherently vulnerable to climate change and variability. As the climate becomes more variable in the future, agriculture as it is currently practiced is becoming a less viable livelihood option for rural families. Diversification, both within and outside of agriculture, is essential to buffer climate impacts and spread household financial risk.

Despite a global slowdown in the supply chain, increased costs of production, and a continuing COVID-19 pandemic, farmers— especially women—played a vital role in World Vision's Transforming Household Resilience in Vulnerable Environments (THRIVE) Project in Honduras in FY22.

Thanks to World Vision Canada's contributions, farmers sold 1,123 tons of coffee to earn $79,042, with women producers accounting for 61% of the earnings—significant given that men
traditionally lead coffee production. Women made up nearly 59% of the coffee producers who sold in the local market. Bean growers sold 145 tons, earning $42,944, with women producers accounting for 64% of the earnings.

We worked with partners and savings groups to stockpile agricultural supplies, tools, and other inputs to help farmers affected by the supply chain slowdown. With support from World Vision Canada, 776 farmers received technical assistance, including 314 who learned through field days and schools on topics such as climate-smart farming; soil, pest and disease management; and crop spacing. More than 377 producers used seeds that were tolerant of climate variability.

In other achievements, participants prepared 49,300 seedlings for reforestation and set aside $27,393 of savings to manage emergencies. Nearly 551 participants in Biblical Empowered Worldview (BEWV) trainings said their values and family environments had been positively transformed. Through a license with 26 agro-meteorological stations, farmers will receive weather data to help them better plan their crops.

• The community agricultural volunteer model helps producers adopt good farming practices in the value chains prioritized by the project. The model uses volunteers for outreach and to help farmers sustain their efforts.
• Adoption of a technical assistance strategy for agricultural services moves producers into a stronger position. Project technicians give guidance not only on farming, but on business and product marketing as well.
• Action plans based on improving participation and ownership of project interventions helps lead to quality results and sustainability.
• Partnerships enabling the project to buy in bulk at lower prices were crucial when fertilizer prices soared, as Russia, at war in Ukraine, is a key producer.