Wiston Vílchez had barely turned 24 when he took over as general manager of the fledgling Flor de Dalia coffee cooperative in 2014. At the time, the cooperative consisted of a handful of families who sold their coffee to local brokers at rock-bottom prices. The brokers then sold the coffee on the international market with a huge mark-up—pocketing all the profit for themselves.
Read moreTopics: Advisory Services | Livelihoods | Mexico and Central America | Partnerships | Stories of Impact |
Durante años, muchos nicaragüenses se han enojado con las políticas cada vez más represivas del presidente Daniel Ortega. El pasado abril, la aprobación de una ley de impuestos impopular llevó al país al límite.
Read moreTopics: En Español | Mexico and Central America | Peace | Stories of Impact |
For years, many Nicaraguans have bristled under the increasingly repressive policies of President Daniel Ortega. Last April, the passage of an unpopular tax law tipped the country over the edge.
Read moreTopics: Mexico and Central America | Peace | Stories of Impact |
For the Maya, bees and their honey have always been sacred. Bees are a symbol of fertility and abundance; kaab, the Mayan word for bee, can also be translated as “force,” “land,” or “world.” But for the Mayan producer-members of the EDUCE cooperative, honey isn’t just a part of their cultural heritage. It’s also their livelihood.
Read moreTopics: Livelihoods | Mexico and Central America | Stories of Impact |
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of traveling to the coffeelands of northern Nicaragua to see Root Capital’s advisory team in action.
Read moreTopics: Advisory Services | Mexico and Central America | Youth |
Honey and chocolate are made to satisfy the sweet tooth, but these treats aren’t always a sweet deal for the smallholder farmers that produce them.
Read moreTopics: Livelihoods | Mexico and Central America | Our Community | Partnerships |
In this month’s Root Capital Roundup, we explore how the illicit drug trade affects farming communities in three Latin American countries where we work… and how agricultural businesses offer people a peaceful alternative.
Read moreTopics: Mexico and Central America | Peace | South America |
Two billion. That’s the number of people in rural communities who are struggling to survive on less than $2 per day. Many of them are farming to feed the rest of the world, yet they aren’t getting enough to eat. Many live hundreds of miles from accessible markets, without the roads to reach them. With few choices, they’re forced to sell their hard-earned crops at rock-bottom prices. But there’s a way out of this cycle of grinding poverty.
Read moreTopics: Livelihoods | Mexico and Central America | Stories of Impact |
In Walter Elizondo Naranjo’s office in San Antonio, Costa Rica, hangs a large banner with pictures of pineapple, bananas, and oranges. 100% orgánico, the banner proudly states. Looking at the banner, Walter grins broadly. “This is COOPEASSA.”
Read moreTopics: Environment | Mexico and Central America |
Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about bees—and not all of it’s good. Around the world, honeybees are dying out. But what does this really mean—and how are agricultural businesses addressing this crisis?
Read moreTopics: Environment | Mexico and Central America |
