Indigenous agro-food systems in transition: Experiences from three territories in Bolivia, Guatemala and Mexico
This study explores the dynamics of indigenous agri-food systems in transition in three Latin American territories: Sierra Norte de Puebla (Mexico), Alta Verapaz (Guatemala), and Torotoro (Bolivia). Through surveys of 569 indigenous farmers, it examines how local communities respond to the pressures of climate change, socioeconomic vulnerability, and market integration. The results reveal high levels of pluriactivity, self-production of food for household consumption, and significant dependence on local markets, along with increasing environmental risks such as drought and soil degradation. In the context of adverse conditions, households maintain agroecological practices such as crop diversification and the conservation of native seeds, while using conventional agricultural inputs to maintain productivity. The findings illustrate that indigenous agri-food systems are not static but rather adopt hybrid strategies that combine tradition and modernity to ensure livelihoods and food security in increasingly uncertain contexts.
The Four Indigenous Directions: Towards a Governance of Planet Earth in Balance
This document is based on Ken Paul’s presentation on sustainable governance of planet Earth and
the oceans for the meeting “Transformation of food systems: perspectives of indigenous peoples
and nations of the Americas” held in Yunguilla, Ecuador, with the participation of representatives
of indigenous peoples and nations of the Americas.
Indigenous Rights in Latin America: Main Tools and the Challenges of their Implementation
This document is based on Kelly Ulcuango’s presentation on indigenous rights for the meeting
“Transformation of food systems: perspectives of indigenous peoples and nations of the Americas”
held in Yunguilla, Ecuador, with the participation of representatives of indigenous peoples and
nations of the Americas.
Between the desire to act and the reality of achieving the objective. Tensions of indigenous rural youth regarding agroecology
This study explores the tensions faced by rural indigenous youth in Latin America with respect to agroecology in three territories: Sierra Norte de Puebla (Mexico), Alta Verapaz (Guatemala) and Torotoro (Bolivia). The objective was to understand how these young people perceive agroecology and the barriers they face in implementing it. A qualitative methodology was employed, including participatory visual techniques (photovoice) and semi-structured interviews with 22 youth who participated in a leadership training program. Key findings revealed four critical problem areas: (1) the conflict between the desire for healthy, chemical-free agriculture and the predominant use of agrochemicals; (2) the gap between learning agroecological techniques and the lack of land or decision-making power to apply them; (3) valuing traditional food systems while increasingly consuming processed foods; and (4) skepticism about the scalability of agroecology amidst generational disenchantment with rural life. The study highlights the need for policies that address access to land, inclusion of youth, and innovative approaches to make agroecology viable for younger generations.
Evaluation of Results of the Rural Women Programme, agreement INDAP – PRODEMU 2022-2024
El presente documento corresponde al Informe final del estudio “Evaluación de Resultados
Programa Mujeres Rurales Convenio INDAP – PRODEMU 2022-2024”, cuyo desarrollo se
enmarca en la licitación privada solicitada por la Fundación para la Promoción y Desarrollo de la
Mujer (en adelante PRODEMU). El objetivo del estudio, según se especifica en los términos de
referencia y bases administrativas del mismo, consiste en “evaluar con enfoque de género los
resultados de la ejecución e indicador de propósito del programa Mujeres Rurales,
correspondiente a la cohorte 2022 – 2024”.
Rimisp 2024 Annual Report
This document provides an overview of the work carried out during the year. It is divided into sections: projects, activities, publications, press and digital media management, donors and Rimisp’s network of partners.
Agenda for food system transformation: Perspectives of and actions by Indigenous Peoples and Nations of the Americas.
During the last week of May 2024, in the cloud forests of Yunguilla, Ecuador, an encounter titled “Food systems transformation: perspectives of Peoples and Nations of the Americas” took place. Representatives of 10 Indigenous peoples and nations of the Americas, from Canada to the Peruvian Amazon, met to talk about the transformation of the region’s food systems.
Latin American lessons on agroecology and territorial development to transition towards inclusive and climate-resilient food systems
This study explores ten experiences implemented across eight Latin American countries.
Analysis of interviews with young coca and poppy growers in Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru.
The document presents the main results and findings in interviews realized to 38 young coca and poppy growers. This research was carried out in four Latin American countries: Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru. The objective was to identify the main characteristics of these young people, as well as understand the incentives and contexts that encourage them to stay in this activity or to make a change in the future. Besides, we identified similarities and differences in the conditions of the participants among these countries.
CHILE: Electoral Balance of Rural Communes in the Municipal and Regional Government Elections 2024
This report presents a brief electoral balance of the 2024 elections in rural areas, considering only the results for the offices of mayors and GOREs. Unlike other Rimisp reports, on this occasion, a comparative analysis with previous processes is not carried out due to the fact that the recent elections present different characteristics (mandatory voting and a decrease in the percentage of the majority required to elect GOREs). The territorial focus of the study is on the commune as the unit of analysis, using the categorisation defined by the National Rural Development Policy (PNDR), namely: urban (82), rural (185) and mixed (78).