January 29 - 2021 - Field Report by Bob Roylance

We traveled to a fairly remote area, probably about 20 miles from Cahabon, but it seemed like 100.  We were in first gear most of the way.  The purpose of the trip was to take one of the chiefs home after the area-wide meeting that was discussed in the Jan 28th report.  Another objective was to look at the crops along the way and talk about the challenges that are associated with them.  The following pictures, and the associated explanations and descriptions, provide some insight into the challenges here and the ways we intend to help them.  We are still a long way from getting an understanding on how we can best help these people with their economic challenges, but we are making progress.

A number of farmers in the southern sector of Cahabon District planted a relatively high number of acres to Achiote -- in hopes of finding a lucrative cash crop.  However, when it came time to market their crop they discovered that the prices that they were being paid generated little or no profit for their work.

It appears like they only have one broker and he can set a low price, because there is no competition.  This situation has caused us to look at other markets for a competitive buyer.  So far we are just in the preliminary stages, so the outcome is very uncertain.

This situation should have required a complete marketing study that would identify the true profitability of this crop before they committed to plant so many acres.

Another crop that we evaluated along the way was Cardamon.  This crop has been in the area for some time, and has proven to be quite successful.  However, it will require an initial cash outlay, and several years of tending the crop, before it will produce a crop that can be sold.  There is an opportunity here to help the small farmer gain a little financial security with this crop.  But it does have it's up and down price years, so it needs a thorough evaluation.

Corn is the staple crop in the Cahabon area, where thousands of acres are planted.  This is a very mountainous region, so you'll find corn growing in all sorts of places.  But, it is mainly grown on the steep mountainsides.

This picture is a typical field of corn that is showing serious nitrogen deficiencies. Even though a little nitrogen would boost the yield, the farmers can't seem to accumulate enough capital to sustain a productive program.

The picture above also has a spice plant that is planted amongst the corn in hopes that it might become a lucrative cash crop.  

Every home seems to have bins that contain a year supply of corn.  It's remarkable how corn is such a major part of their lives.

The teenagers, and those in their early twenties, seem to be exceptionally bright and physically fit, so the corn and bean diet must not be too bad.  They do throw in a fish, a side of pork, or a chicken fryer, now and then -- so they do have a little variety.

Some ideas are formulating on how to make this situation sustainable -- so stay tuned.