AMERICA/MEXICO - The poor and the marginalized become producers of their food

Jalisco (Agenzia Fides) - El Vergel is a community in the region of Durango, located three hours from Pijijiapan, Chiapas. To get there you have to cross over 30 miles of dirt roads, with very dangerous slopes, that become impassable in the rainy seasons. The approximately 600 residents are farmers who have nothing. There are no shops or medical facilities, libraries, Internet. They only have a small primary school. They are isolated from the rest of the world and many young people emigrate. It is an unsafe area because of the fearful group of slave-drivers, criminal gangs and military checkpoints.
To address this situation, the International Centre for Integral Development (CENADIN), a civil association that promotes social development and assists marginalized groups with the objective to become involved in their development, has launched a project for the production of edible mushrooms in 4 micro-greenhouses with modern irrigation systems and solar energy. Each greenhouse has 30 square meters and can produce 300 kg of mushrooms every 40 days. It was not easy to carry the materials for the installation of greenhouses. A small office in the area has been transformed into a warehouse and training center. More than 60 heads of families have learned how to grow and cook the mushrooms, as well as how to use the greenhouses. Another objective of the project is to produce honey, plant fruit trees, install tanks for fish farming and a system for water treatment. The people are very enthusiastic and in the midst of poverty and isolation, see this as a positive sign of hope for their future. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2014)