Cultivating Diversity to Strengthen Food Security

Asociación Ecológica de San Marcos de Ocotepeque (AESMO) – Honduras

With the goal of strengthening food security and community resilience, AESMO held a training workshop in the community of Palos Blancos, Belén Gualcho, Ocotepeque, focused on agroecological production and food security with a climate adaptation approach.

The workshop brought together 20 representatives from beneficiary families participating in the project “Improving Food Security for 220 families from 11 Lenca Indigenous communities and the conservation of water, biodiversity, and soils in the Pacayita Volcano Biological Reserve and its surrounding area,” implemented by AESMO with technical and financial support from Fundación Vivamos.

During the training, which included 6 women and 14 men, participants explored key topics such as the foundations of agroecology, nutrition-sensitive food security, and climate change adaptation. The workshop also included a hands-on session where participants learned about soil preparation, acidity correction, the use of multimineral bioferments, seedling management, planting spacing, and crop diversification.

As part of the practical exercise, participants planted crops such as cabbage, cauliflower, beets, cilantro, and radishes, gaining concrete tools they can now replicate in their home gardens, plots, and family farms.

Through this process, families are strengthening their capacity to diversify agricultural production and move toward healthier, more balanced, and more sustainable diets in their communities.