We work with over 1000 farmers in Nicaragua and know each of them by name. Over 900 of these are smallholder farmers and the rest are Cooperatives, which consist of a group of farmers who collectively own and manage their land and agricultural production.
Meet Bismarck Reyes, the president of the Organic Fruit Cooperative - Cooprofula in the community of Diriomito.
His Farm has a wide variety of plant life, which attracts many birds, bees, and butterflies. Half of the farmland is covered with mango trees, and the other half is a collection of various fruit trees, including medlars, tamarind, nancites, jocotes, mamones, lemons, and avocado, as well as timber trees such as Cedar and Acetuno.
The farm also has two established bee hives to help with pollination, chickens, and cows to provide food for Bismarck’s family of four, while also utilizing the cow manure as an exfoliant when it is fresh and as fertilizer for the land when it is decomposed.
Before working with Sol Organica Bismarck suffered instability in his income; he told us,
“Since we sold in the popular market, there were good and bad years and I didn't have a stable income.”
However, since working with Sol Organica Bismarck told us
“My life has changed financially, now, by working with the company I have a permanent job in an established market and a fixed income. Now I have sales records and can make my projections. I can make plans and invest.”
Bismarck’s farm has changed significantly since starting to cultivate with Sol Organica and the farmers now understand about good soil management due to the training from our agronomy team.
Bismarck told us
“From the knowledge I have acquired, I can now manage the crop well. I can see that the soil has improved and the mango yield has been much higher. I now know the quality and selection of fruits.”
“My relationship with the company is excellent. As a producer, if we have any questions or problems we always receive the support of the company, such as asking for directions on what date it can be cut. We have also received support from the company in terms of accounting and administration.”
Sol Organica’s mission since our inception in 2007 has been to alleviate poverty in the local farming communities of Nicaragua through direct trade relationships. We have developed organic and regenerative value chains, and process unique tropical fruit varieties into purees, frozen cubes, dried fruit, and powders for the natural and organic marketplace.