In the heart of Guatemala, Candelaria, a dedicated farmer, tends her flourishing field of tomatoes. This year alone she proudly oversees her fourth harvest, a testament to her hard work and care.
With the turn of a knob, Candelaria activates her drip irrigation system, effectively watering her crops and dispersing fertilizer while conserving valuable water. Kneeling beneath the shade of her field canopy, Candelaria notices discoloration in the leaves of one of her tomato plants. Using her phone, she scans the discolored leaves and compares it to a database of plant-specific diseases, using the information provided by the app to determine the kind of garden pest affecting her crop. She makes note of the course of action recommended by the app and tucks her phone back into her belt for safekeeping, and begins to prune the rest of her plants.
There are improvements in my work and improvements in my tomato and green bean crops. [Now,] I am happy working on my plots.—Candelaria, tomato farmer and agriculture client
About the Women’s Agriculture & Training program
Friendship Bridge’s Women’s Agriculture & Training program provides advanced training and tools to small farmholders like Candelaria, to support their ability to thrive in a sector vital to their economy. Professional agronomists work with women farmers, both individually and in community groups, teaching techniques to help maintain and improve soil fertility, better manage resources, reduce costs, improve quality, and increase production.
In addition to receiving credit to finance their production, our clients receive technical training delivered by professional agronomists tailored to fit each client’s specific needs based on the type of crops they grow and the climatic conditions where they cultivate.
In the end, women farmers are not only improving their own lives, but also contributing to global food security and imparting invaluable skills and experience to those around them.
Smart farming starts with the right support.
Thanks to supporters like you, women like Candelaria can use professional training to turn their fields into flourishing harvests. You can help more women farmers gain the tools to grow healthier harvests and share valuable technical information with their communities.
