Project Profile
Programa través de
In Nicaragua, can the secret behind Subway’s fresh flavor be inclusivity?
Cooperative alliance supplies modern markets with sustainable and inclusive vegetable production WHY?
Conserving natural resources and ensuring healthy foods for the world’s population are key points in the fundamental strategy to improve agricultural resilience. In Nicaragua and the rest of Central America, 80% of the rural poor rural work mainly in agriculture, and Cooperatives help to strengthen farmers’ socioeconomic prospects. Cooperatives in these regions face challenges, such as lack of development LOCATION
Jinotega, Nicaragua.
services, access to technologies and research, and national policies. At the same time, they may possess serious technical, organizational, and business model weaknesses which are barriers to became competitive and reliable allies for commercialization. THE PROJECT
BENEFICIARIES
Directed
at
four
small-farm
398 farming families
Coomsprojin, and Tomatoya—in the department of Jinotega, Nicaragua, the
13% women
project consolidates an alliance that supplies vegetables produced through
32%youth
sustainable and inclusive business models to modern market partners, including Subway franchises.
cooperatives—Sacaclí,
Coosempoda,
PARTNERS
Donnors: Belgian Development Agency - Rikolto. National Counterparts: Sacaclí, Coosempoda, Coomsprojin, and Tomatoya vegetable cooperatives. Partner: Subway STRATEGIES
• Strengthen the business and organizational management of producers, including the co-op alliance. • Provide financing and technical support to improve horticultural production systems. • Give advice according to training needs, addressed to technical staff, managers and management, through “Field Schools”, and other formative activities. • Provide financing for the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices. WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
That the alliance of Cooperatives operates in a solid way, selling and supplying sustainable and healthy products to its partners (Subway, and other potentials). RESULTS
• Production price increase by a factor of 4. • Fixed prices, on-time payments, credits based on fixed negotiation, and yearly adjustments. • Fluid production chain communication.
WHAT IS AN INCLUSIVE BUSINESS?
• Traced and certified GAP product with zero residue input.
Economically profitable business
• Systemic accompaniment of Subway, allowing investment in production
initiatives with a positive social
plant, now in certification process.
and environmental impact. In
• Certification of 26 farms (2018).
practice, private companies incorporate organizations of low-
Innovation: Deliver chopped lettuce under modified atmosphere.
income producers into their value chain, giving them an opportunity to improve their quality of life.
What will we eat tomorrow? Rikolto (formerly VECO/Vredeseilanden) is an international NGO with more than 40 years’ experience in partnering with farmer organisations and food chain stakeholders across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.
Contacts
Rikolto runs programmes in 15 countries worldwide through eight regional offices. We’re a close-knit network of accessible and knowledgeable colleagues, willing to share experience and eager to inspire others.
Guillermo Gutierrez Mobile +505-8422-0259 guillermo.gutierrez@rikolto.org
+ INFO www.rikolto.org
Fausto Rodríguez Mobile + 505-8422-0326 fausto.rodriguez@rikolto.org