Irrigation Systems Mean Hope In Face of Drought

The first half of 2013 left many Nicaraguan farmers in despair as crops and animals died. But Luis Robles has hope for the future after CEPAD installed an irrigation system to help farmers in his community.

Luis, 23, leads the Community Development Committee in Malacatoya, a rural community outside of San Jose de los Remates, some 96 kms from Managua, the capital city. This year, he and two other farmers were able to irrigate their crops thanks to a motorized irrigation system that pumps water to their farms. This system will allow them to harvest basic crops year round to provide food for their families and to increase their income.

“Because of climate change, the drought this year was long and hard,” Luis said. “We had enough clean water to drink, but we didn’t have enough water to cultivate. So, it was amazing when CEPAD brought us the irrigation system and trained us how to use it.”

The long dry spell ended in May with the arrival of the rainy season, but many farmers still struggle with an inconsistent water supply and fields and crops damaged by the severe drought. CEPAD has placed irrigation systems in 17 communities thanks to support frompeople like you. The hope is to put in at least 22 more, but right now there are not funds to install them. Each irrigation system costs just over $2,000.

Many farmers in Nicaragua can only grow enough to feed their families, but Luis has plenty of produce to sell most of his crops at a shop in San Jose and at the main   market in the department of Boaco. He attributes this to training in topics like crop diversification and resources like the irrigation system.

The best result of the changes, he said, is ensuring a healthier future for his 16-month-old daughter Ingrid Alexa.

“Her health is going to be better, her life is going to be better,” Luis said with a smile.

Although CEPAD’s time in Malacatoya is coming to an end, Luis says the progress in his community is just beginning.

“CEPAD has trained us a lot, and this is just the start,” he said. “With this training, people from our community can go forward with better health and better lives.”

And thanks to improved irrigation, he doesn’t have to be afraid of what the next dry season will bring.

This post was part of our Fall 2013 CEPAD Report. Sign up for the email list to receive the report and other news.