Founded nearly 60 years ago, Counterpart International is a human-centric nonprofit driven by a vision of an inclusive, equal, and sustainable future for all communities globally. Its portfolio encompasses a kaleidoscope of sectors, from education and social inclusion to women’s empowerment, food security, and agriculture, addressing diverse issues plaguing various countries and communities.
In 2012, the organization started its pursuit of redefining the agriculture landscape in Guatemala. Marked by the establishment of Food for Progress – or PROCAMPO – this mission is driven by the nonprofit’s dedication to fostering a world of justice where everyone can thrive. The program helps indigenous and rural farmers in Guatemala, contributing to sustainable developments in the country’s communities.
Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food for Progress is a future-forward initiative that bridges food security haps in a nation that has been doubling in population over the past 25 years – now approaching 18 million. With predictions of this number further multiplying, Counterpart stands at the forefront of a humane movement that boosts the locals’ income, improves their livelihoods, and increases agricultural productivity.
Many of the country’s issues, including malnutrition and food insecurity, date to the 1963-1966 civil war and decades of corruption. With a polarized society, widespread poverty, and damaged infrastructure, many changes sprung about, for instance, the National Rural Extension System’s (SNER) suspension in 1996. The program played a crucial role in increasing farmers’ productivity and income, empowering them to receive training, access the market, and obtain technical help from extension agents.
Image Credit: Counterpart International
Following the sad trajectory of many Latin American nations in the 1990s, the program was suspended due to the governmentally favored market-driven approaches. Since the suspension, local and international organizations, including the University of California Davis (UC Davis), the National University of San Carlos (USAC), the Guatemalan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food (MAGA), Federación Nacional de Cooperativas de Guatemala (MICOOPE), and Asociación Nacional del Café (Anacafé), have joined forces with Counterpart, forming collaborations that improve the livelihoods of farmers on many levels.
Initially planned to run for four years, Food for Progress was extended until the end of 2024, a testament to the program’s success and potential to uplift more communities. For over six years, PROCAMPO has been under the leadership of Maria Ester Bucaro, Counterpart’s Chief of Party, leveraging her comprehensive experience in agricultural and food security programs. One of the first women to steward an agriculture program in Guatemala, Bucaro merges philanthropy with effective solutions, driving many partnerships with international universities, high-ranking officials, and stakeholders, ultimately strengthening the sector from the ground up.
Since its establishment, Food for Progress promised to revolutionize the landscape through a six-fold strategy, starting with re-establishing the SNER and creating academic training focused on agricultural extension services. This activity aligned with Counterpart’s goal to educate extension agents who can aid farmers across the board.
Education is central to the nonprofit’s plan. Counterpart, realizing the importance of agricultural producer groups, such as associations, coffee growers, and rural development learning centers, ensured farmers receive training and support that helps with their practices, yields, and meeting market standards. The project also offers capacity-building grants to certain producer groups, as well as loans in partnership with micro-credit unions like MICOOPE.
To improve agricultural products’ marketability, PROCAMPO implemented trade promotion activities, during which farmers were able to acquire certifications, join trade shows, and engage with buyers. As the last part of its all-encompassing strategy, Food for Progress trained extension agents in farm management and agricultural practices, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to then train their local communities.
PROCAMPO impacted 469 local organizations and over 48,500 producers in total. Many of them were able to enter niche markets after improving their quality and product value. The program ensured farmers sustain and implement knowledge in real life by thoroughly monitoring each participant, often returning to the field to confirm the training’s success. This approach also informed strategy changes, clearly identifying which methods worked and which ones didn’t, allowing Counterpart to improve the program by learning from mistakes.
Food for Progress’ impact is palpable in every corner, from the evident improvement in Guatemalan agriculture to sheer numbers—2,900+ jobs created; 400+ extension agents graduating; 2,460 rural development centers built; 85 in-kind and 106 cash grants donated to farmers; 10,095+ granted loans to help farmers expand operations; and 37,624 producers trained to improve their livelihoods and increase yields.
“The farmers and people of Guatemala deserve equal opportunities, and PROCAMPO aims to deliver nothing less than that,” stresses Bucaro. “It’s more than a philanthropic mission; it’s an all-encompassing strategy that drives economic growth, helps farmers build resilience, and carves a sustainable path toward prosperity or – at the very least – national food security.”
Photo by Erik Scheel: Pexels
