(written by Kim Wagenman, Feb. 2005)
Being from the far north, it’s foreign to me to think of being able to farm year around. It is even harder to grasp the fact that people in Nicaragua have this ability and yet are not doing it simply because they don’t have the resources to dig a well and set up irrigation. Meanwhile people living right next to an idle field are going hungry.
Our plan is to develop irrigation on the plot of land purchased, about 3.6 acres, and not only get a crop during the rainy season but also produce high value crops during the dry season. We were able to visit a couple of small farms where this is being done. We saw them raising, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, melons, cabbage, and several other veggies along with several varieties of fruit trees.
Here is what I have learned about production in Nicaragua.
They have a relatively wet season beginning in May and ending in September. During this period, they receive about 50 in. of rain. It’s almost too much for seasonal crops. Then, for six months virtually receive no rain, making the production of crops impossible without irrigation. Wet season crops include soybeans and corn. Hopefully, the field will be planted to one of these this season.
Our longer range plan is to get a well dug, or drilled , by next November. This may cost anywhere from $200, if dug, to $10000, if drilled. We are uncertain as yet which type of well we will need. Then the plan would be to install a drip irrigation system to water the field.
We are considering whether we should plant vegetable type crops and hire locals to work or divide the field up into small parcels (ie. garden plots if you will) and let the locals each have their own plot. The jury is still out on this one. The bottom line is we hope to have some type of crops under irrigation by this time next season. It seems feasible that up to three crops of vegetables could be harvested off the same plot in the 6 month dry season where nothing is growing now.
There is also a need for some type of barrier fence to keep livestock and people from raiding the crop. We’re not sure what to do here either. However, I am thinking if people have garden plots the problem might solve itself as they will police it themselves. Otherwise this will also be a substantial expense.
We had the distinct pleasure of meeting the newly elected mayor of Leon, Trancito Tellez. He expressed his vision for the land around Leon once again being fruitful with irrigation and production year around. He stated the land is very fertile and the water plentiful. However, he said the people own land but lack the resources to irrigate. He stated that most are not able to borrow funds, but even if they could, they would pay 5 percent per month interest. That’s not very feasible. I think the Nicaraguan economy is on the verge
of taking off, and the natural resources are there, they just need a jump start. That’s where groups like ours can help.
It was an honor to meet with some distinguished guests on invitation of Mr. Tellez. The meeting involved an Ag Professor from the University of Leon, and representatives from the Leon Chamber of Commerce, and two agricultural producer groups. We were able to get answers to a number of our questions concerning production under irrigation in that area. I am sure the contacts we made will be of help in the future. Mr. Tellez is a member of the Sandinista party but seemed very receptive to groups like ourselves coming to help the Nicaraguan people.
This is my third consecutive year to visit Leon. It is always hard to see the extreme poverty. I think it is even harder when you realize there is so much potential for production that is not being utilized. I think the old adage “give a man a fish or teach him to fish” really applies to this area.
