The main event was a community expofair in which Rimisp researchers Rafael Lindemann and Tatiana Aguirre presented the results and lessons learned from the project to the communities. The event was attended by close to 100 people and took place in Cesder’s main hall in Zautla, Puebla.

“It has been very enriching to share the results of the project with the communities to hear what resonates with them, as well as their vision of the processes carried out. For us, it is very important to make these instances of devolution to the territories that allow us to give a symbolic closure to the work of three years together with our partners of Cesder”.said Tatiana Aguirre, Rimisp researcher.

Another highlight of the day was the presentation of diplomas to Víctor Lobato and Mariana López who participated in the three cycles of workshops for agroecological dynamizers. The objective of this initiative was to strengthen leadership and empowerment skills in young people who aspire to become dynamizers in their territories.

Visits to communities of Ixtacamaxtitlán and Zautla

Rimisp researchers, together with Rimisp’s community-based team from Cesder’s community team, also conducted field visits to communities in Ixtacamaxtitlán and Zautla.. During the tour, they observed in the field the vegetable production systems in Xopanaco, the water catchment and dry bath systems in El Mirador, and the knowledge exchange experiences with the communities of Santa Inés Morelos and Tecoltemic.

Prior to this visit to Mexico, the project carried out closing activities with local partners in Guatemala and Bolivia. In Guatemala, together with Sank and Mayan Q’eqchi’ communities in the department of Alta Verapaz, Rimisp accompanied community representatives in several meetings with the national government.. In the case of Bolivia, Rimisp and Prosuco organized the 1st Agroecological Productive and Healthy Food Fair in Torotoro.

The Networks for Agri-Food Transformation project, supported by Canada’s International Development Research Center (IDRC) was aimed at contributing to the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems in three rural territories in Latin America (Sierra Norte de Puebla, Mexico; Alta Verapaz, Guatemala; and Torotoro, Bolivia).

For more information, visit: https://rimisp.org/redes-para-la-transformacion-agroalimentaria/